North American tubing giant Atlas Tube sent a letter to customers on Friday, November 21, stating that mill operations at its Blytheville, Arkansas facility will be temporarily shut down as of December 19, 2008.
Atlas Tube attributed the production cut to difficult market conditions, stating that it will reevaluate demand levels in March to determine when the mill will reopen. During the shutdown, Atlas Tube will continue shipping and processing at its Blytheville facility.
The company will continue to supply the markets serviced by the Arkansas facility from its three other facilities, located in Chicago, Illinois; Plymouth, Michigan; and Harrow, Ontario.
During the shutdown period, Atlas Tube said it will look into expanding its product range for the Blytheville facility, hoping to dive into the API and standard pipe markets.