Technology has played a large role in Chaparral's efficient production.
Computers run sophisticated equipment throughout the mill.
But process improvements at the Midlothian, Tex., structurals producer come from human minds working with information provided by computer. Canadian minimill company Co-Steel and Texas Industries were the joint owners. Chaparral is named after the speedy roadrunner that inhabits the region. Texas Industries, a cement and concrete company, later bought out Co-Steel's share. Chaparral then started producing structural products such as beams, channels, and merchant rounds.