Granite City Works resumes steel production after 2 years

The plant is owned by Japan-based Nippon Steel, after the company acquired U.S. Steel last June for almost $15 billion. 

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  Local steelmakers are celebrating after a Granite City Works blast furnace roared back to life. 

The furnace, which used to produce steel slabs, sat idle for more than two years. It started again Saturday night.

“After several months of carefully analyzing customer demand, we made the decision to restart a blast furnace,” said David B. Burritt, president and CEO of U.S. Steel in December when the plan was announced.

The plant is owned by Japan-based Nippon Steel, after the company acquired U.S. Steel last June for almost $15 billion. 

Company officials say about 400 people were hired to work the furnace, some of whom lost their jobs when Alton Steel closed earlier this year.

Union members say the development could help prove the mill is productive enough to stay open beyond 2027, when Nippon’s federally mandated agreement to protect Granite City Works expires.

Courtesy: www.spectrumnewsonline.com

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