Severstal to restart Martins Ferry lines Jan. 25

MARTINS FERRY - Severstal Wheeling will restart its coating lines in Martins Ferry on Jan. 25.

The company announced Tuesday the restart follows the start of the Yorkville plant earlier this month.

The galvanizing lines in Martins Ferry apply a zinc coating to steel processed at the Yorkville mill and other Severstal plants. The Yorkville plant is being supplied with steel from various Severstal North America plants. The furnaces and hot strip mill at Mingo Junction remain shutdown. A company spokeswoman said there is nothing new to report on the Mingo Junction and Steubenville plants' status. The steel that formerly supplied Martins Ferry and Yorkville used to be made at Mingo Junction. The blast furnace at Mingo Junction was shut down last fall and the plant was completely closed in the spring.

Employment levels at Martins Ferry will vary weekly based on order levels, the company said.

United Steelworkers officials have said they continue to work on getting a contract with Severstal. The previous contract expired in September 2008 and work has been ongoing on extensions of the contract.

The spokeswoman said the restart of any operations in Mingo Junction would depend on market demand. The company has not issued a forecast for demand in 2010.

(Giannamore can be contacted at pgiannamore@heraldstaronline.com.)