Flash Steelwork Invests $9 Million in St. Clair County, Michigan

February 6, 2025

Gov. Whitmer Announces 70 New Jobs Coming to St. Clair, Emmet Counties:  

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced two expansion projects creating 70 jobs and generating over $16 million in capital investment in Southeast and Northwest Michigan. Flash Steelworks has announced an expansion project that will result in $8.8 million of capital investment and create 55 jobs in St. Clair County. In Northwest Michigan, Aster Brands is announcing their expansion that will result in 15 new jobs in Emmet County and investing over $7 million in their new facility.  

St. Clair County, Michigan: 

Flash Steelworks, founded in 2006, is a research and development firm and steel manufacturer that developed and globally patented a novel heat treatment for steel. The process is energy efficient using renewable power sources. The resulting product, Flash Bainite, is made from commercially available, low-cost steel, thus keeping budgets reasonable. The company manufactures products that can be used in armor, automotive, bridges, containers, energy components, I-beams, rebar, ships, seawall, and more.  

“Founded 20 years ago in the Arsenal of Innovation, with a keen focus to protect Democracy, Flash Steelworks creates steel that is stronger than titanium, lighter than aluminum, and is able to stop speeding bullets at record-setting velocity,” said Gary Cola, CTO & Founder of Flash Steelworks. “We are excited to continue working with the MEDC to advance Flash Technology research and full-scale production in St Clair County. While creating good paying skilled jobs, Flash Steel will better protect those in harm’s way, be it in an automobile or armored carrier.”  

The company is announcing their expansion plans to install a Flash Armor Production line to support new contracts and begin production of the world’s highest performing armor plate, as tested by the U.S. Army. The expansion is anticipated to result in a capital investment of nearly $9 million and create up to 55 new jobs with the support of the Michigan Strategic Fund through a Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) performance-based grant in the amount of $750,000. Newly created jobs will have an average wage of $32.82, over $12 greater than the regional median wage of $20.61.  

“The Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County is proud to have been a part of bringing Flash Steelworks to Ira Township. The company’s advanced process of flash heating and cooling creates a high value and weldable steel that has successfully earned the business several government contracts,” noted Kristy Jones, Director of Business & Community Development Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County. “The EDA welcomes Flash Steelworks to St. Clair County and is thankful for the new investment and skilled job opportunities it brings to the region.”  

In addition to support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the company has been awarded three Phase Three Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants from the Department of Energy and Department of Defense to fabricate full-scale production equipment.  

The expansion of Flash Steelworks builds on Michigan’s long-standing leadership in the defense sector with the help and support of the Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation (ODAI). ODAI supports a defense industry that contributes $30 billion in economic activity for Michigan, with more than 166,000 jobs and nearly 4,000 Michigan businesses serving the defense, defense aerospace, and homeland security industries.  

Flash Steelworks Website 

Working With Flash

• Purchase Flash Steel
• Coiled Steel
• Flash Ultra 600 Armor Plate
• Tubing & Bar Stock 

Become A Flash Producer
A limited number of licenses are availalable for you to become a Flash producer.