Brazilian integrated steelmaker Gerdau is considering a layoff at its Charqueadas mill, located in the city of same name in southern Rio Grande do Sul state, according to a media report from Jornal do Comercio.
Gerdau said the layoff is due to the fact the domestic automotive industry anticipated collective furloughs for their workers on reduced inventory. Argentina’s weak demand for Brazilian autos also added to the Brazilian automotive industry’s woes
The Charqueadas is an EAF mini-mill. It produces bars, special profiles, wires, wire rod, and cold finished bars with a 430,000/mt annual crude steel capacity.