Automotive News reported that the new normal in the steel industry might be taking hold on the banks of the Cuyahoga River, where ArcelorMittal's Cleveland Works is seeing steadily increasing demand for its products. But company officials do not yet see demand reaching levels common before the recession.
Ms Katie Patterson spokeswoman at ArcelorMittal said that "We are now seeing signs of improvement in the economy and steel market. However, the recovery remains slow and progressive."
Mr Mark Granakis president of United Steelworkers Local 979 said that the mill is operating at 70% of capacity.
While that figure is far from where Granakis and the company want it to be, it's a long way from the bottom hit in 2009. Last year, in the heart of the recession, the mill was idled for the summer and the familiar flame of its blast furnace visible to drivers passing by the mill was snuffed out for the first time in recent memory.
At full capacity, Granakis' local would have 1,450 members at the plant. To hit that level, the company would need to hire for the first time in years, workers who are new to the industry.
Ms Patterson said that "We are still anticipating that apparent demand will continue to increase progressively in the United States, but it will remain around 20% to 25% lower in 2010 than pre crisis levels."
