AHOSKIE – It’s official…Eddie Kane Steel is up and running in Hertford County.

Monday morning, the owners/operators of the new business conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the plant, located in the old Carolina Billets (Indalex) facility on Johnny Mitchell Road south of Ahoskie.

On hand for the welcoming ceremony were Hertford County and Town of Ahoskie officials along with representatives of Nucor-Hertford County.

“We welcome Eddie Kane Steel to Hertford County,” Tim Newsome, Chairman of the Hertford County Economic Development Commission, said. “It’s exciting that you have chosen to locate here.”

Hertford County Commissioner Johnnie Ray Farmer also welcomed the new business.

“On behalf of the commissioners, we wish you a long and prosperous business operation here in our county,” Farmer said.

Ahoskie Mayor Linda Blackburn extended a welcome from her town.

“We are delighted that you chose this area to expand your business,” said the Mayor. “You will find this community warmly welcomes new neighbors.”

Gus Kane, President of Eddie Kane Steel, praised the efforts of Bill Early, Executive Director of the Hertford County Economic Development Commission, for helping his company locate in Hertford County.

“Bill introduced us to this area; we’re here because of his efforts and due to the relationship we have with the good folks over at Nucor,” Kane said, adding that his company was also looking at sites in two other states before opting for Hertford County.

“It’s a win-win situation for all of us,” Kane continued. “We feel that we, as a business, are here to win.”

Early returned the praise, saying that Eddie Kane Steel was a great company to work with and would be good for the area.

“Our relationship with you is only beginning,” Early said. “We will continue to work closely with you for your success in Hertford County.”

Following the ribbon cutting, Larry Bevivino, Operations Manager for Eddie Kane Steel, took a handful of local officials on a tour of the operation, one that is still being renovated.

In an interview with the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald on Sept. 5, Bevivino said early operations of the plant would center on handling and storage of steel plate for the company’s Ohio facility. That effort is already underway. However, over the next 12 months, the plant will expand to offer the same processing capabilities as the Ohio facility. Those capabilities include plasma and oxy-fuel flame cutting, bending, drilling and punching, shearing and light machining. These value-added capabilities enable Eddie Kane Steel to provide a diversified product range, including custom-made parts, to a larger customer base.

Bevivino said the Ahoskie plant will eventually employ 12-to-15 full time workers.

The company is growing its steel processing business as a fabricator of industrial equipment parts and counterweights that are used in the construction, drilling, elevator and theatrical stage equipment industries.

Early added that Eddie Kane Steel will make a $1 million-plus investment in Hertford County.

The company’s corporate headquarters are located in Spring Lake, New Jersey and additional sales and administration are carried out in the company’s northeastern Ohio (Mahoning Valley) office, adjacent to the company’s material processing and warehouse facility.

The ability to fabricate steel plate to customer specifications and provide value-added services, combined with a sizable inventory of desirable primary and secondary steel plate, adds to the company’s growing market position.

Eddie Kane Steel has more than 400 active, established accounts with approximately 100 repetitive accounts ordering at least once every six weeks. Customers include original equipment manufacturers (tools, equipment, and machines), fabricators, machine shops, job shops, medical instrument manufacturers, infrastructure contractors and other metal distributors needing niche products. Customers are located throughout the continental United States and Canada.