ArcelorMittal executives announced Thursday the company's plans to reopen its Harriman, Tennessee steel plant, which closed in 2011 due to poor market conditions.
In a joint announcement with Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty, the facility should resume full operation by April 2014, requiring 61 new employees over the next two years.
The company will ship billets from its facility in LaPlace, Louisiana where they will be reheated and rolled into merchant bar and other light structurals. Additionally, the plant will start producing one- to three-inch angles and one- to four-inch flats, expanding ArcelorMittal Long Carbon North America’s offerings.
"This is an exciting development for the ArcelorMittal family and the Harriman region, serving as another indication of the strength and resiliency of American manufacturing and the United States steel industry," PS Venkataramanan, chief executive officer, ArcelorMittal Long Carbon North America, said. "We look forward to working with the United Steelworkers to safely restart the facility, providing an enhanced product offering to our customers. We are especially thankful for the support from the local and state governments, allowing us to once again produce quality steel products in Harriman."