Stock-Market-Trends

U. S. Steel Idled Two Tubular Facilities in Pennsylvania, Texas

June 27, 2014
The company said this action is the “result of business conditions which are influenced by unfairly traded tubular products imported into the United States."

Earlier this month, United States Steel Corp. said that it will indefinitely idle  two tubular manufacturing facilities in McKeesport, Pa., and Bellville, Texas, in early August, impacting approximately 260 employees.

The company said this action is the “result of business conditions which are influenced by unfairly traded tubular products imported into the United States."

The indefinite idling of these loss-making operations will reduce the number of U. S. Steel's tubular facilities from 10 to eight, but will enable the company to operate more profitably as it repositions to meet future customer demand.  

"U. S. Steel remains fully committed to the tubular products business and to serving our tubular customers, “  said Mario Longhi, CEO,  U. S. Steel. “While these are difficult decisions, they are necessary in order to return our company to sustainable profitability and position us for future growth.  We will continue to fight unfair trade by foreign competitors who are creating a detrimental impact and threat to middle-class paying manufacturing jobs."

U. S. Steel, along with other domestic producers, has filed an anti-dumping action with the U.S. Department of Commerce to halt the unfair trading and dumping of foreign Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) into the American market.    

U. S. Steel will continue to produce and finish tubular products at its facilities in Alabama, Arkansas , Ohio and Texas where it employs 2,900 employees.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor - MH&L, IW, & EHS Today

Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with Endeavor Business Media and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank.

She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics, EHS Today, and IndustryWeek. 

Editorial Mission Statement:

Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes, and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I Find Manufacturing Interesting: 

On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated, and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.