ArcelorMittal plans wire-drawing closure in Hamilton, shifts production to Montreal

Stephane Brochu, CEO of AM Long Products Canada, stated the company’ rationale for the decision.

“[It is] to strengthen its competitiveness and ensure better long-term profitability for its wire-drawing activities,” he said, according to an article by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC.

Brochu continued, “First and foremost, all our efforts are focused on supporting the employees affected by this closure.”

CBC reports that ArcelorMittal pinned blame for the restructuring on steel imports. The company said the facility lost $2.6 million US dollars annually over the last five years.  

The same CBC article notes that Local 5328 President Mike Hnatjuk, who represents about 100 members of the ArcelorMittal wire operation in Hamilton, said he believes US tariffs contributed to management’s decision.

ArcelorMittal did not return a request for comment from SMU by time of publication about whether tariffs contributed to the closure.