Steel Mills
McKeesport Tubular to Re-Open Under New Owner
Written by Sandy Williams
January 14, 2017
The idled US Steel McKeesport Tubular mill in Pennsylvania is coming back to life in 2017. Dura-Bond Industries, a pipe manufacturer and coater headquartered in Export, PA, has leased the mill and plans to restart production after approval and upgrades are made.
Jason Norris, president of Dura-Bond, confirmed the purchase of equipment from US Steel and an option-to-buy lease from land and building owner Regional Industrial Development Corp.
“Our focus is going to be a domestic mill using domestic feedstock,” said Norris. Flat rolled steel used to produce tubular steel for the energy industry will be sourced from US Steel, ArcelorMittal USA and other U.S. suppliers, said Norris.
“More than 50% of the oil and gas pipe used in the USA comes from overseas and that must change” said Norris.
About 100 workers will be hired to restart the plant which Norris hopes will be possible within six to nine months. RIDC reports Dura-Bond plans to hire more than 200 workers in total.
McKeesport Tubular was indefinitely idled in 2014 following a surge of low priced imports and a downturn in the oil and gas industry. At the time the plant employed around 160 workers.
Founded in 1960, the family-owned Dura-Bond Industries is headquartered in Export, PA where it fabricates structural steel for the marine and heavy highway markets. The company also offers protective specialty coatings for steel products at its Steelton and Duquesne locations. Dura-Bond is API approved for steel pipe manufacturing, holds AISC Level II certification for steel fabrication and is SSPC certified for the application of protective coatings to steel products.
Sandy Williams
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