Vulcraft Group Marks 50th Year Of Plant In Norfolk, Nebraska
Norfolk, NE - Vulcraft Group is celebrating a half-century of its steel fabrication plant in Norfolk, Nebraska. The plant opened for business 50 years ago with fewer than 100 employees, compared to its current total of 545 and growing.
“My, how we’ve grown as a city, as a state and as a company,” said Doyle Hopper, vice president and general manager of Norfolk’s Vulcraft plant.
In 1964, there were 15 Midwestern communities in the running for The Nuclear Corporation’s – as Nucor then was known as – first greenfield plant site, but Norfolk was ultimately chosen. On June 19, Vulcraft marked its 50th anniversary in Norfolk by hosting about 900 people for a catered dinner, brief remarks and tours of the steel joists and decking plant.
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John Ferriola , CEO and President of Nucor Corporation |  |
John Ferriola, the president and chief executive officer of Nucor, was among the corporate officials on hand to take part in the celebration.
“It’s great to be back in Norfolk,” said Ferriola, who earlier served as general manager of the Nucor Steel plant in that location. “I always enjoy coming back.”
Ferriola shared with those in attendance that since 2008 – the start of the worst depression in the U.S. since the 1930s – Nucor has made an investment of $8 billion.
“What did we invest in? In you and your future and the future of our families, our supplies, our customers and our company,” Ferriola said in remarks aimed at the Vulcraft teammates in attendance. “What does that say about the confidence we have in you?”
Today, the 22,000 teammates spread across more than 260 Nucor operations.
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| | From left: Dave Aycock, retired Nucor executive who was the first general manager of the Norfolk Vulcraft plant; Don Holloway, the longest-tenured Vulcraft plant manager in Norfolk; Dirk Peterson, former Norfolk Vulcraft plant manager; and Doyle Hopper, current Norfolk Vulcraft plant manager. |
Among the guests at the event were Dave Aycock, a retired Nucor executive who was the first general manager of the Norfolk Vulcraft plant; Don Holloway, the longest-tenured Vulcraft plant manager in Norfolk; and James Darsey, a Nucor executive vice president; as well as Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann; state Sen. Jim Scheer of Norfolk and Mayor Sue Fuchtman.
“What started in Norfolk catapulted Nucor to grow,” said Hopper. “It didn’t happen by accident. It happened because of having the right people – great teammates, great customers, great suppliers and a partnership with a great city, county and state.”
About Vulcraft/Verco Decking
As an engineered products group of Nucor Corporation, Vulcraft produces joists, joist girders and steel deck. Verco Decking Inc. supplies corrugated steel roof and floor deck. For more information, visit www.vulcraft.com or www.vercodeck.com.