US Forged Rings, a privately owned specialty-steel manufacturer, announced plans to invest $875 million in a new production facility in Hertford County, North Carolina. The project is expected to create 625 jobs and marks the largest economic-development investment in the county's recorded history.
What will be built
Announced February 26, 2026, the investment includes a 1.6 million-square-foot steel manufacturing facility located adjacent to Nucor Steel's processing site along the Chowan River. The plant will produce specialty steel components and large-diameter forgings for heavy industries including wind energy, nuclear power and mining. Siting next to Nucor gives the company access to steel-processing infrastructure, feedstock and logistics that would be costly to replicate on a standalone site.
Project figures
- $875 million total investment.
- 625 new jobs at the site.
- 1.6 million square feet of production space.
- Phased construction, with phase one expected to begin in fall 2028.
Company background
Incorporated in 2022, US Forged Rings is an integrated, one-stop manufacturer of specialty steel products and large-diameter fabrications, and is part of the Sozzi family's industrial group, which has more than 40 years of experience in steel forging. That heritage in forging is central to the company's pitch: large-diameter rings and forgings are difficult to make and require specialized equipment, and domestic capacity for such components is limited.
The products the plant will make serve industries where scale and precision matter. Wind turbines rely on large forged rings for towers and drivetrains, nuclear plants require heavy specialty components, and mining equipment depends on durable forged parts. Much of this capacity has historically sat overseas, so a domestic source can appeal to customers seeking supply-chain security and shorter lead times.
Why it matters
- Domestic capacity for large forgings used in energy and mining equipment.
- A major manufacturing anchor for northeastern North Carolina.
- High-skill jobs in a rural region seeking industrial investment.
- Proximity to Nucor's steelmaking infrastructure and river logistics.
Timeline and impact
The facility is planned in three phases, with later stages projected to begin around 2030. Building in stages lets the company scale capacity as it wins orders and secures workforce. For Hertford County, a rural area in northeastern North Carolina, the project represents a transformational investment and a rare large-scale industrial employer. For US Forged Rings, it establishes domestic capacity for specialty forgings that serve wind, nuclear and mining supply chains at a time when customers are prioritizing local sourcing.