Steel Mills
US Steel Announces New Capacity Reductions
Written by John Packard
January 27, 2015
On Monday after the financial markets closed, US Steel announced the company would temporarily reduce operations at their Lone Star Tubular Operations in Lone Star, Texas as well as their Fairfield Tubular Operations in Fairfield, Alabama. USS Fairfield Works, which is the primary flat rolled supplier of rounds to the Fairfield Tubular plant will also adjust operations.
It is not yet known if the reduction of capacity at Fairfield Works will mean the idling of their one blast furnace at the plant. The rumor mill has been circulating for awhile that the idling of this furnace was being considered. We will learn more about the exact nature of the production curtailments when U.S. Steel President and CEO Mario Longhi conducts the company’s 4th Quarter earnings conference call with analysts on Wednesday at 8:30 AM ET.
The reason for the reduction in operations was due to, “…softening market conditions that reflect the cyclical nature of the energy market. Global influences in the market, like unfair trade and fluctuating oil prices, continue to have an impact on the business.”
Steel Market Update has posted the full content of the U.S. Steel press release on our blog.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Mills
USS Granite City HSM, downstream ops continue despite idling of steelmaking
U.S. Steel will continue to operate the hot strip mill and finishing lines at its Granite City Works in southern Illinois.
SMU survey: Direction of mill lead times mixed on holiday season lull
Movements in lead times were mixed in SMU’s check of the market this week – a reflection of the seasonal dip in ordering that is typically seen during the winter holiday season.
TimkenSteel implements Worlds’ AI platform into steelmaking ops
TimkenSteel has begun utilizing AI software from Worlds to gain insight into its steel manufacturing processes.
AM/NS Calvert, Outokumpu extend tolling arrangement
AM/NS Calvert will continue providing hot rolling tolling services for Outokumpu for the time being.
SMU Community Chat: Algoma’s CEO talks prices, decarb, raw materials
Algoma Steel’s CEO Michael Garcia joined SMU Managing Editor Michael Cowden for a Community Chat on Wednesday, Nov. 29. A great discussion was had on topics ranging from plate pricing to decarbonization efforts, raw materials strategies, and more.