TSA Processing partners with ATI to bring new steel jobs to Hyde Park

New steel jobs have arrived in the Alle-Kiski Valley at a historic foundry in Hyde Park.

TSA Processing, based in Houston, opened its sixth processing location in March, inside the hot metal section of the former Hyde Park Foundry.

Currently, 13 full-time employees process large coils of steel and other metals for shipment throughout the U.S. and globally, said TSA sales and General Manager Neal Silliman.

Eventually, about 100 jobs will be created, with 20 more jobs expected to be added by year’s end, said Kevin Ashbaugh, plant manager.

Partnering with ATI in Vandergrift, the Hyde Park facility was selected because of its favorable transportation advantages. A rail line is yards away, and the Route 28 expressway is nearby.

“We have run some product with (ATI). We still have to do their trial and meet their certifications for production,” said Ashbaugh, describing the ATI collaboration as “huge.”

“It’s going to keep material coming through the plant from Vandergrift, and it’s a good partnership — location, location, location,” Ashbaugh said. “We have the capabilities to run any material on this line.”

ATI spokeswoman Natalie Gillespie said the new partnership is exciting, especially with ATI Vandergrift’s multi-million dollar expansion currently in the works.

“Recently, Hyde Park has cut-to-length some coils produced at our newly upgraded Vandergrift facility and powerful Brackenridge mill. We welcome having these services in such close proximity,” Gillespie said.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

Kevin Ashbaugh (left) TSA Processing plant manager and Neal Silliman, sales manager at TSA Processing, stand inside the newly renovated former Hyde Park Foundry in Hyde Park.

TSA processes large coils of steel and other metals provided from international and domestic customers. The metal orders are cut to the customer’s specifications.

The Hyde Park facility is able to cut metal ranging in length from 2 feet to 40 feet.

Metals capable of being processed include galvanized steel, titanium, carbon steel, high-tech alloys, aluminum and stainless steel.

TSA operations manager Ryan Wojciechowski said, for now, all employees work a 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift.

“We expect to add a night shift; not sure of the hours yet,” Wojciechowski said.

Starting pay at the Hyde Park facility is $15 to $18 an hour with benefits.

On assignment @ TSA Processing in the former Hyde Park Foundry in Hyde Park, Westmoreland County. ⁦@VNDNews⁩ ⁦@TribLIVE⁩ ⁦@TribWestmoreCo⁩ pic.twitter.com/T6UYsc4XJp

— Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) May 20, 2022

Employee Holly Torres, 60, of Kiski Township, is the oldest and sole female employee at Hyde Park.

Her 12 other male co-workers have dubbed her “Miss Holly” and, for Torres, having a full-time job with good pay and daytime shift hours is something she was seeking.

Torres said she serves as an unofficial mom to some of the guys and said other women shouldn’t be discouraged by factory or manufacturing work.

“I love the atmosphere. I like to see the finished product, and I think we’re important and we do a good job here,” Torres said. “It’s neat working here because of the past it’s had. There’s more life here now.

“Don’t be afraid. You have every opportunity to work here. The guys here are nothing but respectful.”

Sam Feroce, 22, of Lower Burrell has worked in the steel industry since graduating from Burrell High School in 2018.

“It’s nice getting local jobs back,” Feroce said. “It’s cool to see. I would always drive by (the old foundry), and now it looks brand new.”

Hyde Park Foundry was founded in 1895.

TSA completed renovations and upgrades last year that include a new roof, reinforced concrete flooring, administrative offices, insulation, LED lighting, gas heating and a new road leading up to the facility.

It’s owned by George Hadanich of the Washington, Pa.-based Hadanich Machine Manufacturing.

Ashbaugh is a Vandergrift native and a third-generation family member working at the former Hyde Park Foundry. He partnered with Silliman, of Lower Burrell, and former vice-president of operations Steve Laich of Leechburg, to open TSA operations in Hyde Park.

“It feels great,” Ashbaugh said. “America was founded on industry like this and it went away for a while, but now it’s coming back.”

Annual revenue is expected to be in the $2 million to $5 million range.

Future plans include securing a 15-year lease in place of the current three-year lease at the Hyde Park location and adding a new slitter to the line this summer, Ashbaugh said.