QATAR STEEL Company was formed in 1974 as the first integrated steel plant in the Arabian Gulf. Commercial production commenced in 1978 with the company becoming wholly owned by Industries Qatar in 2003. Today, Qatar Steel is widely recognized as a foremost leader in the steel industry, extending its pioneering commitment from an expansive mill site located in the heart of the progressive Mesaieed Industrial City - 45 kilometers south of the nation's capital, Doha. The Company also operates a UAE based subsidiary - Qatar Steel Company FZE. Inspired to meet the growing demand for steel in Qatar as well as the region in general, Qatar Steel has embarked upon a series of initiatives aimed at increasing its production capacity. The ongoing modernization and technically advanced expansion projects are designed to produce world class products, which will further enhance the company's presence in the world of steel production. Plant facilities have come to include a Midrex process based DRI/HBI Combo Mega Module, Electric Arc Furnaces with a Ladle Refining Furnace, a Continuous Casting plant and Rolling Mills with the latest automated features. Other auxiliaries include well-equipped Jetty facilities, a Main Power Substation, Quality Control Center, Maintenance Shops and facilities for sea/fresh water, compressed air, natural gas and a Clinic. Today the plant with its offices occupies an area of 707,000 sq. meters, adjacent to which is a further 375,000 sq. meters plot reserved for future developments. The total employee-base of over 1,650 spans 12 different nationalities and the mill runs on a 3-shift system. Facilities in Dubai Qatar Steel Company FZE was established in August 2003 to meet the growing demand for high-quality steel wire-rod products within the GCC as well as in international markets. The company operates two primary facilities at its 60,000 Sq. meter Jebel Ali Free Zone site: An upgraded Wire Rod Mill with an installed capacity of 240,000 metric tonnes [MT] per annum and the present Rebar Mill with an annual capacity of 50,000 MT. The latter is soon to be replaced by a modern new Bar Mill from VAI–POMINI with a 300,000 MT capacity.