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US Steel (NYSE:X) said Tuesday it will idle indefinitely the last remaining operating blast furnace at its Granite City Works in Illinois “to help ensure melt capacity is balanced with our order book.”
One of the two blast furnaces for making steel already had been shut down at the Granite City facility, and US Steel (X) shut down the second earlier this fall, predicting the closure would last less than six months.
But in a layoff notice filed with area officials Tuesday, the company told 1,000 employees – including 400 who have been on temporary layoff since October 1 – it now expects the closure will continue longer, with changes taking effect as soon as January 28, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
US Steel’s (X) steel rolling and finishing operations at the site will continue, using metal slabs from other facilities, according to the report.
US Steel (X) said this summer it was considering a sale of the company; CNBC reported Tuesday that five parties are expected to make offers.