Demand spurs job growth

FREMONT — A major upgrade at local factory will create 22 new jobs, according to the company's home office. Quality Steel Corp., a subsidiary of LT Corp., plans to invest $13.9 million into its Fremont Facility. Quality Steel is a leader in the U.S. propane tank industry and manufactures anhydrous ammonia tanks and propane tanks ranging from 120 gallons to 2,000 gallons for residential, agricultural, and small commercial sectors. "Quality Steel has experienced significant sales growth throughout the country, including our markets served by our Fremont facility," said David Kubacki, the human resources director at LT Corp. "A result of this sales growth has been a substantial increase in the employment levels at our Fremont location along with an additional shift of production." The 22 new jobs adds to its current workforce of 164 employees at its factory on Graham Drive in Fremont. "With increased employment levels, we recognized a great opportunity to update our existing facility with additional parking, dining, locker rooms, offices and training facilities," Kubacki said. Quality Steel will add 40,000 square-feet onto its current 72,000 square-foot factory. This expansion will result in contemporary locker rooms and a spacious cafeteria and break facilities. "The new addition will allow us to repurpose space that previously was used for locker rooms and enhance our manufacturing processes," Kubacki said. The company broke ground in October with a targeted completion date of July 2021. It also plans to invest in new equipment and utility upgrades. JobsOhio awarded Quality Steel a $75,000 grant to help with the expansion. "Fremont is fortunate to have a company like Quality Steel located in our community. It was a team effort to help bring this project to fruition," Fremont economic development director Bob Gross said. "Their investment and job creation is a further indication of Fremont being a business-friendly community." Quality Steel attributes their growth and success to their employees and their commitment to positive engagement with their customer base. "Quality Steel is a family and employee-owned business that takes pride in providing our customers with the best product available to go along with exceptional one on one customer service," Kubacki said. "Our team members enjoy working here because of our philosophies that put customers and employees at the top of our priorities." The Sandusky County Economic Development Corp., an organization promoting economic growth in the region, helped Quality Steel with the expansion plans. "Our economic team has worked hard to gain momentum in the community and enhance its focus throughout the county by emphasizing business retention and expansion of existing companies in our communities," said Beth Hannam, the corporation's executive director. "Even in the face of a pandemic, Fremont and Sandusky County continue to see companies coming in and growing. That says something about the business climate of our region."