Steel Product Producers

Zekelman subsidiary Wheatland Tube set to close Chicago plant
Written by Ethan Bernard
October 1, 2024
Wheatland Tube, a subsidiary of Zekelman Industries, is closing a tube facility in Chicago, with nearly 240 workers being laid off.
An Illinois WARN Notice filed on Sept. 6 showed the first layoff date was scheduled for Nov. 1.
Zekelman Industries said a significant contributing factor for the closing is the “surge” of imported steel conduit from Mexico, according to a statement sent to SMU dated Sept. 25.
“All we ask is for our trade agreements to be enforced,” Barry Zekelman, executive chairman and CEO of Zekelman Industries, said in the statement. “Instead, there will be Americans out of work at a company that pays life-sustaining wages and benefits.”
Jennifer Murphy, vice president of HR at Zekelman, said that to the greatest extent possible, the company has offered impacted employees the opportunity to transfer to positions matching their skill sets at other company facilities.
“For employees who are not interested in transferring, or for whom opportunities are not available, we will offer broad transition support inclusive of severance and outplacement services,” she added.

Ethan Bernard
Read more from Ethan BernardLatest in Steel Product Producers

AZZ posts record Q1 earnings amid infrastructure demand surge
AZZ Inc. posted record earnings for the first quarter of its 2026 fiscal year on the back of strong infrastructure-related demand and improved operating performance.

AZZ expands in Midwest with acquisition of Canton Galvanizing
Independent galvanizer and coil coater AZZ Inc. has agreed to acquire Canton Galvanizing LLC.

Algoma fires up EAF steelmaking with first arc
Algoma Steel reached a milestone in its transformation from blast furnace to electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking, with its Unit One EAF achieving its first steel production this week.

Nucor holds HR list price at $910/ton
Nucor is keeping its list price for spot hot-rolled coil unchanged after last week’s shortened holiday week.

Triple-S closes on American Stainless Tubing buy
Triple-S Steel Holdings has closed on its previously announced acquisition of American Stainless Tubing.