The Successful Greenfield Startup

Introduction

In the vast and competitive landscape of the Forging industry, Southwest Steel Processing (SSP) was born as a daring endeavor, a greenfield project initiated in 2002. As its only full greenfield startup, SSP is the product of the strategic collaboration between ParkOhio and Arkansas Steel. Under the visionary leadership of Edward Crawford, ParkOhio's pioneering role in the establishment of SSP is a testament to its operational strength and capability.

The Inception of SSP: A Strategic Partnership

Edward Crawford's visionary leadership played an integral role in the establishment of SSP. Recognizing a gap in the Domestic forging industry, Mr. Crawford collaborated with Arkansas Steel (formerly Razorback Steel) to embark on the SSP venture. This project marked a significant milestone as the company’s first-ever complete greenfield startup. 

The objective was clear: to create a state-of-the-art forging company from scratch that would be capable of breaking new ground and establishing a robust presence in diverse markets such as railcar, oil and gas, construction, and mining. 

Investment and Expansion

Over the years, ParkOhio showed unwavering faith in SSP's potential. Following the initiation of operations with a single press, ParkOhio made a substantial investment of over $18 million in SSP fourteen years into its journey. This investment facilitated the addition of a second press line, doubling the processing capacity and setting the stage for a phase of accelerated growth.

Penetrating Diverse Industries

Leveraging the increased processing capacity, SSP started making significant strides across multiple industries. It continued to expand its footprint in the railcar industry and made successful inroads into oil and gas, construction, and mining sectors. 

ParkOhio's astute leadership, coupled with SSP's enhanced capabilities, enabled the greenfield startup to cultivate relationships with key players in these industries, thereby facilitating growth and driving revenue generation.

Conclusion

The story of Southwest Steel Processing is a testament to ParkOhio's entrepreneurial spirit, operational prowess, and commitment to growth. From the strategic inception of a greenfield startup to hefty capital investments for expansion, ParkOhio played an instrumental role in shaping SSP's journey. 

Today, SSP stands as one of the most competitive players in the forging industry, thriving across various sectors. This success story continues to serve as an inspiring blueprint for startups seeking to establish themselves from the ground up in a highly competitive industrial landscape.