Steel Mills
Furnace Maintenance Cools 3Q Results at Stelco
Written by Tim Triplett
November 15, 2017
Canada’s Stelco, Inc., reported revenues totaling $1.15 billion (all figures Canadian) for the nine months ended Sept. 30, an increase of 16 percent over the prior-year period. Operating profit totaled $61 million, up from $8 million last year. The average selling price for the year to date was $814 per net ton, up from $654 in 2016, due to the improved market price of steel.
In the third quarter, the Hamilton, Ontario-based flat rolled steelmaker reported revenue of $336 million, a 10 percent decrease from the same period last year primarily from lower shipping volumes due to its planned blast furnace outage. Operating profit for the quarter was zero, down from $44 million in 3Q 2016.
“We are extremely pleased with the financial results for the third quarter and year-to-date, both consistent with management expectations. A key performance driver was the blast furnace outage taken in the third quarter, which increased production levels to 29 heats per day from 21, or by 38 percent. The strong production performance has continued into the fourth quarter, as well,” said Alan Kestenbaum, Stelco Executive Chairman and CEO. “With its legacy issues addressed and a strong balance sheet, Stelco is poised to grow organically—via increased production, product innovation, the repatriation of former customers, and through disciplined acquisitions. If the right opportunities present themselves, we will be poised to act.”
Subsequent to the third quarter, Stelco completed an initial public offering, which closed Nov. 10, netting the company $230 million. “I appreciate the support that investors gave the IPO and share their optimism for this iconic company’s future,” Kestenbaum added.
The financially troubled Stelco was acquired by Bedrock Industries last year and emerged from creditor protection at the end of June. The steelmaker employs nearly 2,200 workers at its Hamilton and Lake Erie facilities in Ontario.
Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Steel Mills
Nippon could up investment in USS facilities to $7B: Report
It's the latest twist as the proxy battle heats up for Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel.
Hybar expansion still on the table as Arkansas mill startup nears
As Hybar nears the completion of its $700-million rebar mill in Arkansas, the company said it is still “actively considering” building other steel facilities in the southern US.
Global steel production edges lower in February
February’s global raw steel output is tied with last December's for the fourth-lowest monthly production rate recorded over the past two years.
Fate of U.S. Steel hangs in the balance
The future of U.S. Steel remains unclear, but the proxy fight for control of the company is heating up. Shareholders will cast their votes on the company's future at the annual meeting in May.
Cliffs to idle Dearborn blast furnace, restart Cleveland furnace by July
Cleveland-Cliffs has decided to idle the steelmaking operations at its Dearborn Works in Michigan due to weak automotive demand.