Houston-based JSW Steel USA is planning to modernize an existing plant and build a new facility thanks to a $500 million investment from its parent company in India.

Continue Reading Below

John Hritz, the CEO, said during an exclusive interview with FOX Business’ Liz Claman on “Countdown to the Closing Bell” that the new capacity was planned long before President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of 25% on imported steel and 15% on aluminum. “We are in lockstep with the president and with the administration,” Hritz said Monday. “And we’ve been obviously planning this expansion for the better part of two and a half years.”

Hritz said the company currently has 500 people on site and is expected to hire 500 new employees in high-tech jobs.

“We need a lot of great craftsmen,” he said. “We need every facet of people that you can imagine.”

More from FOX Business