USS-POSCO Industries, the West's Largest Steelmaker, Announces $15 Million Upgrade Project

Business Wire, July 24, 1996

PITTSBURG, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 24, 1996--USS-POSCO Industries (UPI) today announced plans for a $15 million upgrade of its No. 2 Continuous Coating Line.

The surface improvement project is the steel finishing facility's most extensive project since completion of its $450 million Modernization Program in 1989.

"The real excitement of this upgrade is that it will allow us to get into markets that the facility is currently unable to participate in," said John Ewing, vice president of Commercial. "These are high value-added markets that none of the western producers have been able to participate in such as high gloss, high quality paint systems for canopies at service stations and products like computer chassis and gaming equipment," he said.

According to Rod Simpson, technology division manager, the objective is to improve the surface quality of galvanized product produced on the line, as well as improve productivity and increase capacity by 30,000 tons.

Equipment to be installed includes a temper rolling mill to produce smooth finished product, new minimum spangle rig and an induction furnace for galvanized product. "These improvements will enable us to do things the competition can't," said Simpson.

Pittsburg-based USS-POSCO Industries is California's largest and most efficient steel-finishing facility.

CONTACT: USS-POSCO Industries, Pittsburg

John Ewing, 510/439-6516