Bethlehem Steel to Close Its Pipe Facility

Bethlehem Steel has announced that it is closing its large diameter pipe manufacturing facility in Steelton, Pennsylvania. They sited lack of orders as the reason for the closure.

The move was consistent with their strategy to close or sell off underperforming operations in a bid to become more competitive. Tariff exclusions have been granted which will see 100,000 tons of X70 grade line pipes into this market, which made Bethlehem’s operation less viable.

The pipe facility had been in operation since the mid 1960’s and was capable of producing pipes with outside diameters ranging from 20 inches to 42 inches.

Bethlehem Steel is initiating efforts to sell off the facility which has been idle since 1999.

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