Ridgeville manufacturer invests in AMI Group

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A graphite electrodes manufacturer in Ridgeville has purchased a 50% stake in a company based in Monterrey, Mexico.

The partnership between Showa Denko Carbon Inc. and AMI Automation — which specializes in industrial drive systems and meltshop solutions, including electrode regulation — could open up growth opportunities for both companies, AMI said in a news release.  

The company said the joint venture also could accelerate global growth plans and innovations in graphite electrode performance and electric arc steel-making. Show Denko Carbon is a supplier of graphite electrodes for the arc furnace steel industry.

“With this new joint venture, our shared core values and commitment to enhance the customer experience will allow AMI to continue to develop the capabilities of our technical team and strengthen our position as an innovator and leader in the automation and optimization of industrial applications,” AMI CEO Octavio Rodriguez said in a statement.

Showa Denko Carbon is part of Showa Denko KK, a company headquartered in Tokyo that operates in petrochemicals, chemicals, electronics, ceramics, inorganics and aluminum, among other products. The company also has a carbon plant in Omachi, Japan, which also serves the arc furnace steel industry.

Both companies serve some of the same customers, the news release said, but AMI will operate independently and the company’s team will remain in place. In a statement, the company said it will continue to focus on design, manufacturing and implementation of solutions to help companies run better.