Steel Products
Esmark Delaying Restart of Yorkville Plant
Written by Sandy Williams
March 13, 2013
Written by: Sandy Williams
Start up of the Esmark Yorkville cold-rolling plant is on hold waiting for “a less volatile steelmarket” according to Esmark.
Esmark acquired the renamed Ohio Cold Rolling Company from defunct RG Steel along with a 50 percent interest in the nearby tin plate production plant Ohio Coatings Co. in October 2012. Esmark said OCRC would begin operations in early 2013 but weak steel demand, pricing pressures in the cold-rolled steel market, low priced imports, high inventories and economic uncertainty has set back the much anticipated re-opening. In addition, Ohio Coatings’ late entry into the annual tinplate contract negotiations resulted in a commitment by OCC to annual black plate sourcing outside of Yorkville, resulting in the loss of OCRC’s largest customer.
Last week Columbia Gas of Ohio shut off service to the mill after Esmark decided to delay the opening.
“As part of this decision we have been working with the local natural gas and electric utility companies and agreed to temporarily suspend natural gas service to the plant until we’re prepared to begin restart operations. We continue to maintain electric service,” said Esmark.
United Steel Workers Local 1223 President Jerry Conners told the Herald Star that he is losing confidence in the new owners.
“I have a hard time believing the plant is on track for a reopening. I do think either Esmark, or the Esmark Steel Group, is experiencing a cash flow problem,” Conners said. “Gas for heat has never been turned off in the past.”
Esmark remains committed to restarting the Yorkville facility later this year. In the meantime, a small workforce will be on hand for fire watch and maintenance.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/sandy-williams.jpeg)
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Products
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/CMC-New-Logo.png)
CMC to open rebar fabrication facility in Ohio
Longs producer and metal recycler CMC plans to open a new rebar fabrication plant in Akron, Ohio.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/steel_trade.png)
US and Mexico take action to curb ‘unfair’ trade
The US and Mexico announced measures on Wednesday to prevent tariff evasion and protect North America’s steel and aluminum industries.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/gears.png)
Final thoughts
First off, we hope everyone had a safe and happy July 4th holiday, with fireworks seen and BBQs attended. Many parts of the country are quite toasty at the moment, signaling that, yes, summer has indeed arrived. And looking at our most recent survey results, the summer doldrums have arrived as well.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Rig_count_pic_3-scaled.jpg)
Active rig counts recover in US, slip in Canada
US drill rig activity moved back up last week after drifting lower for four straight weeks. Meanwhile, Canadian counts slipped for the first time after a seven-week rally, according to the latest data from Baker Hughes.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/AISI.png)
AISI: US steel shipments up in May from April, off from 2023
Domestic steel shipments increased in May month over month but have fallen on-year.