Newly-formed RG Steel, the now Sparrows Point, Maryland-based flat-rolled steelmaker, issued a press release Tuesday indicating that primary operations at the Sparrows Point plant are scheduled to resume operations in early May.
The start of the "L" blast furnace-the third largest in North America-and steelmaking operations will be followed closely by the resumption of the hot strip mill. Primary operations and the hot strip mill had been idled in July 2010 as a result of low demand. In the interim, the plant's finishing facilities operated in accordance with customer orders.
RG Steel sent a notice to Sparrows Point employees on March 17 indicating that the company plans to restart Sparrows Point operations in May, and recalled them back to work for an operations and safety-refresher course.
"The past nine months have been difficult for our employees, customers and suppliers," said John Goodwin, President and CEO of RG Steel. "We are pleased to restart these facilities to recall our people and to produce the high-quality steel valued by our customers. We are happy to be back."