Hammer Haag Steel, a Clearwater-based steel fabricator, plans to build a roughly 227,700-square-foot manufacturing facility in Largo that could triple its production capacity and eventually create hundreds of jobs in Pinellas County.

The family-owned company is developing the facility at 2063 20th Ave. SE, with operations expected to begin in summer 2027, according to St. Pete Catalyst.

Constantin Haag, the company's founder and president, said the expansion would allow Hammer Haag to handle larger and more complex steel fabrication projects while keeping its operations and workforce in Pinellas County.

"We have outgrown what our current facility can accommodate," Haag said in a company statement. "A significant portion of our workforce lives here, so keeping the facility close to the people who helped build Hammer Haag Steel was an important part of the decision."

New facility could triple steel production capacity

Founded in 2011, Hammer Haag Steel operates from its headquarters at 12707 U.S. Highway 19 N. in Clearwater.

The company currently processes approximately 800 to 1,200 tons of steel monthly, according to Haag, who told the Catalyst that the existing facility's layout limits its ability to expand production efficiently.

"We move roughly anywhere between 800 to 1,200 tons of steel a month," Haag told the publication. "To be able to expand on our current operation, we need to have a better flow line than we have right now."

The proposed Largo facility would include approximately 176,000 square feet of manufacturing space, 29,000 square feet of warehouse space and 22,000 square feet of offices.

The manufacturing operation would support heavy steel fabrication and advanced machining, while the office space would accommodate administrative, engineering, operations and support personnel.

The company acquired the Largo property in May 2025, and demolition work is underway in preparation for construction.

The approximately 227,700-square-foot figure reflects the company's announced plans. A separate development project listing identifies a smaller approved building area of 176,500 square feet.

Expansion could bring hundreds of manufacturing jobs

Hammer Haag considered expanding outside Pinellas County but ultimately chose Largo to remain close to its existing workforce.

The company worked with Pinellas County Economic Development to identify a property that could accommodate its manufacturing requirements.

"Matching Hammer Haag Steel with properties that fit their specific industrial needs was critical in their ability to grow and stay in the region," Dr. Cynthia Johnson, the agency's director, said in a statement provided to the Catalyst.

Johnson said the expansion would help retain an established employer while creating opportunities for additional manufacturing jobs.

Haag said the company hopes to hire approximately 200 additional employees as the new facility reaches full production capacity.

The potential positions would support steel fabrication, welding, fitting, machining and other manufacturing operations. The company has not announced a hiring schedule or confirmed how many positions will be available when the facility first opens.

Clearwater facility to remain operational

Although the Largo property will become Hammer Haag Steel's primary production site, the company plans to keep its existing Clearwater facility open.

The Clearwater operation will continue with a smaller workforce after production shifts to Largo, allowing the company to maintain certain existing operations while expanding its overall capacity.

The company expects to begin moving operations into the new facility during summer 2027, although a firm opening date has not been announced.

Haag said the investment is intended to strengthen the company's manufacturing capabilities while supporting the next generation of skilled workers in Pinellas County.