By Elizabeth Miller
At a time when foreign companies are selling steel cheaper than domestic ones, there’s one Northeast Ohio steel mill that continues to survive. Earlier this month, US Steel and Republic Steel in Lorain announced hundreds of layoffs.
In addition to producing steel for wheels, Whirlpool appliances, and propane tanks for gas grills, ArcelorMittal Cleveland produces advanced high-strength steel. It’s used in the auto industry to reduce the weight of cars, increasing fuel mileage to meet federal standards. And according to the company, that lightweight steel accounts for 15% of total production at the Cleveland plant.
Dan Boone is the president of United Steelworkers Local 979, which represents about 1550 workers at ArcelorMittal Cleveland. He says that although the demand for steel is inconsistent, the company is still looking to hire more workers in Northeast Ohio.
“Our orders go up and down, we’re not at full capacity," said Boone.
"We have room to make more, but we’re running really well right now. We need more people.”
ArcelorMittal Cleveland has the capacity to produce 3.8 million tons of steel a year.