On January 11, 2018, SteelOrbis reported the permanent closure of Kentucky Electric Steel (KES). At the time, it laid off over 100 workers.
According to special bar quality (SBQ) market participants, Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) is showing interest in acquiring the idled Kentucky Electric Steel facility as part of it growth plan.
On May 15, 2018, SteelOrbis reported on the acquisition of CSN by SDI. While that acquisition was in line with flat steel production, the acquisition of KES would expand its product scope.
SDI's Flat Roll Group, based at Butler, Indiana, is one of the most productive and profitable flat-roll mini mills in the world.