Steel Products
Gerdau Divests Another U.S. Mill
Written by Tim Triplett
February 1, 2018
Gerdau SA is divesting its Beaumont, Texas, wire rod mill and two downstream operations, Beaumont Wire Products and Carrollton Wire Products, to reduce its footprint in the U.S. long products market. Optimus Steel LLC will acquire the facilities for $92.5 million in a deal to close by the end of the year.
The sale is the latest in a series of divestments worth more $1 billion. “The strategy in North America, a key market for us, is to improve our profitability, focus on more value-added products and better serve our customers,” said Gerdau CEO Gustavo Werneck. “We remain committed to strengthening our position in the U.S. in the next years and we see a great growth potential in the markets that Gerdau will continue to operate.”
Earlier in January, Gerdau agreed to sell four rebar mills and various downstream facilities to Commercial Metals Company for $600 million.
Earlier this week, Gerdau announced plans to begin producing 240-mm square blooms at its special bar quality mill in Monroe, Mich. The larger section size will result in a greater reduction ratio, improved surface quality and cleaner steel with fewer inclusions, the company said.
{loadposition reserved_message}

Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Steel Products

September energy market update
In this Premium analysis we examine North American oil and natural gas prices, drill rig activity, and crude oil stock levels through September. Trends in energy prices and rig counts serve as leading indicators for oil country tubular goods (OCTG) and line pipe demand.

Market says cutting interest rates will spur stalled domestic plate demand
Market sources say demand for domestic plate refuses to budge despite stagnating prices.

U.S. Steel to halt slab conversion at Granite City Works
U.S. Steel said it plans to reduce slab consumption at its Granite City Works near St. Louis, a company spokesperson said on Monday. The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker will shift the production and processing of steel slabs to its Mon Valley Works near Pittsburgh and its Gary Works near Chicago. Citing a United Steelworkers (USW) union memo, […]

SMU Week in Review: September 1-5
Here are highlights of what’s happened this past week and a few upcoming things to keep an eye on.

HR Futures: Market finds footing on supply-side mechanics
As Labor Day marks the transition into fall, the steel market enters September with a similar sense of change. Supply-side fundamentals are beginning to show signs of restraint: imports are limited, outages loom, and production is capped, setting the stage for a market that feels steady on the surface but still unsettled underneath.