LAHORE -  In an announcement at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the Board of Directors of Amreli Steels Limited approved phase two of the expansion plan of the company presented by the management in line with its long term vision of being the first million-tonne quality rebars manufacturer of the country.

The Board in its meeting approved in principle the second phase of expansion of the company, subject to the approval of technical feasibility and successful financial close of the proposed transaction.

The Board approved the increase in Steel Melting capacity at Dhabeji for making Billets from 400,000 to 600,000 tonnes per annum with expected time line for completion in FY 17-18. Increase in Rolling Mill capacity at Dhabeji was also approved for making Rebars from 300,000 to 425,000 tonnes per annum, with expected timeline for completion in FY 18-19. The Board also approved increase in Rolling Mill capacity at S.I.T.E. Karachi for making Rebars from 180,000 to 325,000 tonnes per annum with expected timeline for completion in FY 18-19. After expansion, the company will boast a total rebar capacity of 750,000 tons per annum.

On this occasion,  Shayan Akberali, Managing Director at Amreli Steels Limited, said that the expansion will further enhance the footprint of Amreli Steels Limited across the country by supplying quality Rebars for infrastructure development and fulfilling needs of retail customers across Pakistan. “Technical consultants of international repute have been invited to submit their bid for final selection within the month of May 2017 to commence the technical feasibility on phase two of the expansion as early as possible”, he added.

It must be noted that the phase two expansion plan is in addition to the current phase one expansion already being carried out by the company and is expected to come online later this year. The company has decided to embark on phase two of capacity expansion in view of the rising construction activity around the country that is believed to sustain high levels of growth over the next decade. Phase two of the expansion plan will come at a much lower capex and earlier gestation period as existing assets installed in phase one will be upgraded rather than establishing new green field facilities.

With multiple production facilities, upgrading capacity will not hamper production as the company can stagger the upgrades and still utilise maximum capacity. The company has always been a pioneer and first mover in the industry and is acting fast once again to beat competition and take full advantage of the construction boom in the country.