Cantal To Locate in Botetourt, Bring 40 Jobs

Canatal Steel USA Inc., which develops steel structures for commercial buildings, has opened its first U.S. operation in Botetourt County. U.S. customers comprise about 95 percent of the Canadian company's business.

“With so much of our business in the United States, we were looking to increase efficiency, reduce costs and streamline our operations,” says Charles Trent, controller of Canatal Steel USA. “Botetourt County puts us closer to our customers and offers affordable operating costs and an experienced, motivated work force.”

Canatal Industries fabricates and installs steel beams primarily for commercial, residential, institutional, and industrial building construction. Located in the former O’Neal Metals Building, the company will initially invest more than $1 million in facility and equipment. Canatal plans to create up to 40 full-time jobs by April 2011 and could create as many as 100 by 2012. Jobs will range from welders and fitters to eventually office staff, estimators and engineers.

The company says it’s seeing an uptick in orders as the economy improves. “We have aggressive growth plans in Botetourt and look forward to being an integral part of the Roanoke Valley,” Trent says. Canatal considered locations outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia before selecting Botetourt County.

“Canatal’s decision to locate in Botetourt adds to the international roster of businesses in the county,” says Billy Martin, chairman of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors. “Now, Canada joins Australia, Austria, Belgium, Japan, Mexico, and Greece doing business from Botetourt.”

“The international flavor of businesses throughout the Roanoke region reflects the region’s global competitiveness,” saysBeth Doughty, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership.