wiredInUSA February 2018

EDITOR

Encouraging news from South Carolina in this issue of wiredInUSA comes in the shape of the former ArcelorMittal steel mill in Georgetown reopening under the new ownership of Liberty House. Liberty House, part of GFG Alliance, announced the finalization of the purchase and its plans to reopen the mill – with the rehire of 125 former ArcelorMittal employees and plans to expand the workforce to 250 in the future. “Under an agreement with the United Steelworkers, the company expects key roles on the furnace, casters and rolling mill to be filled by experienced former employees of the plant,” said Liberty spokesperson Eoghan Mortell. “[Liberty is] also in discussion with Georgetown Council about training programs to prepare a new generation of workers for the industry.” Full details on page 9. Additional optimistic news for the industry is that Commercial Metals Co (CMC) has reached a $600 million deal to buy 33 US fabrication shops and four steel mills from Gerdau. CMC stated that it will look to optimize production synergies in the markets served by both CMC mills and the newly acquired Gerdau facilities, and could also add wire rod to its product portfolio with the acquisition of a plant in Jacksonville. Turn to page 10 for the full story.

David Bell Editor

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wiredInUSA - February 2018