Alro Steel Corp. is on track to replace its Carnegie facility with a new distribution center in Findlay.

Findlay supervisors approved plans Nov. 10 for the steel supplier to erect a 99,700-square-foot office building, warehouse and distribution center on 15 acres at the Westport interchange of Turnpike Route 576, the Findlay Connector toll highway.

The new building will more than triple the space available at the company's 28,000-square-foot steel service center on Gregg Street in Carnegie.

The Carnegie operation will relocate to Findlay in about a year, once construction is complete, Alro regional vice president Todd Rumler said.

The township approval included an additional 91,000-square-foot expansion, which Mr. Rumler said could be built within seven years.

The Alro building will be the third in The Findlay Industrial Park, owned and developed by Imperial Land Corp.

Zoned for light industry, the park also includes an 80,000-square-foot warehouse occupied by electrical wire and cable manufacturer The Okonite Co. and a 155,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center occupied by the Appliance Dealers Cooperative.

Alro Steel searched for an appropriate building site for two years before purchasing the Findlay land, Mr. Rumler said.

The industrial park's proximity to the Findlay Connector, Interstate 376 and Pittsburgh International Airport played a part in Alro's relocation choice.

"It's logistically perfect for our operation," said Jeffrey Pennetti, general manager of Alro's Carnegie center.

Alro Steel is a Michigan-based distributor of metals, plastics and industrial supplies with 46 locations through the eastern U.S.

The Carnegie facility, with about 40 employees, offers processing services and stocks carbon steel, tool steel, alloy steel, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, cast iron, copper, bronze and other materials, according to the company's website.

"We're excited," Mr. Pennetti said. "The company is doing well, and we're looking forward to bringing our jobs and business to Findlay."

First Published: November 18, 2010, 10:30 a.m.