1.3 Billion dollar factory with only 400 jobs? There must a lot of robotic automation involved here.
Too early. Please add a “be.”
Have you ever been in a plate mill?
It’s the equipment costs.
Yep lots of automation. That is why they refer to it as “state of the art” in the article I also bet the cost of these machines that move the plate is not cheap.
Back in the early 60s I worked in a steel mill that finished 'rolled or hammered' pre-cast ingots of steel into steel wire or other smaller steel parts.
The rolling mills used crews of 9-11 men for each shift, and they would "pull" a 1200 pound hot piece of steel from a furnace, insert it into a large roller, and then run it back through the roller which was a just a bit smaller, making the piece of steel a little longer and thinner.
This process continued until the length and diameter was reduced until it met the order.
Today, the same process requires ZERO men on the floor, and one computer operator, not to do anything except watch for an error in the process.
Automation has improved the dangerous process of handling hot steel, but it has reduced the need for manual workers to a great degree.
Life goes on.
I watch youtube videos like this.
Nucor Steel Berkeley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mzqOFpMsww
I like looking at things getting made.
HYPNOTIC Steel Forging Factory / Pneumatic Forging Hammer - Extreme Machines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be4K-raFYao
Dangerous Biggest Crankshaft Forging Process in Metal Heavyweight Forging Factory Germany, US, China
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qut7ObS7JY8