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National Steel

National Steel is the fourth largest steel producer in the United States. National Steel produces a wide variety of products that are used in a variety of industries. They manufacture both hot and cold steel, both rolled sheets and steel strips. They also produce tin mill products and galvanized steel products. National Steel sells the majority of its products to other manufactures, including the construction, automotive and pipe industries.

The History of National Steel

Three companies used the lean economic times of the Great Depression to form National Steel. Wierton Steel Company, Great Lakes Steel Corporation and parts of M.A. Hanna Company combined to form National Steel. The benefits of the three companies joining forces was seen early on. Each company had previously focused on particular areas of steel production, and their combined efforts made for a very competitive company. Between the three companies, National Steel now owned land to mine ore, steel mills, and coke ovens and blast furnaces that are used in the production of steel.

The initial years of National Steel did not see a large profit, in fact the annual earnings fell over 10 million dollars. Because this coincided with the Great Depression it was not unexpected. National Steel was headed by an aggressive group, and they took this time to expand. By 1930, National Steel had the second largest holdings of iron ore in the country. They then purchased Michigan Steel Corporation, which was located in Detroit. This acquisition positioned National Steel as a ready supplier for the nation's automotive industry.

World War II brought an end to the Great Depression, and by this time, National Steel was making around 140 million dollars in sales annually. World War II brought an increased need for all things related to steel. National Steel capitalized on this, and soon had 400 coke ovens and six blast furnaces. This would eventually be looked upon as the heyday of steel production. Beginning in the 1950s, outside competition and reduced demand for steel would make the steel business a volatile one.

Outside competition from Japan and other countries hurt the steel industry. National Steel had built a reputation on efficiency, but even this company had trouble competing with the foreign companies that paid their workers less and worked them longer hours. Additionally, aluminum and tin plating became suitable and attractive replacements for steel in many circumstances.

Understanding that the only way to ensure a place in the steel industry was to diversify, National Steel began a period of modernizing its equipment and expanding its plants. The program appeared to have worked, as the company accounts for seven percent of the total finished steel in the United States. Part of the reason for the success of National Steel is the well thought out expansion of its company. The Detroit plant, which provides products for the automotive industry, makes nearly half of the company's sales, the plant in Weirton, West Virginia manufactures tin plate, which is used in the container industry.

In a bid to remain competitive, National Steel joined with Southwire to build an aluminum smelter. National Steel had come to the realization that aluminum was going to become more widely used, and if National Steel wanted to remain relevant, they would need to expand into the aluminum business. In 1970, National Steel purchased Pittsburgh Aluminum Alloys, Inc. This helped to position National Steel as a contender in the aluminum market.

While National Steel remained concerned about diversifying their business concerns, they never forgot their original business. They acquired Granite City Steel Company in 1971, becoming the third largest steel producer in the United States. The continued turbulence within the steel industry caused concern for all of the nation's steel producers. They expanded into new areas and withdrew from others, and National Steel was no exception. They facilitated the sale of the Weirton plant to its employees, moving National Steel back to sixth in size among steel producers. Then, they began the process of selling off their steel operations. Eventually National Steel sold half of its steel holdings to Nippon Kokan K.K., a company headquartered in Japan. That sale was perhaps the beginning of the end for National Steel, the efficiency that National Steel was once known for was lacking, plant shutdowns became common, and the worldwide steel market continued to decline. The company continues to remain relevant to the steel industry, with joint ventures for the construction of steel coating facilities.

Jobs at National Steel

National Steel has employed thousands of people in its long and diverse history. Working is a steel mill is physically demanding, but during the boom years of the steel industry, the workers could count on job consistency, good pay, and plenty of overtime.

Asbestos Exposure in a Steel Plant

Asbestos was a common component of insulation and protective clothing in steel mills. Asbestos is resistant to heat and flame, and its fibers can easily be woven into fabric. Asbestos cloth was used to make protective clothing, and the mineral fibers were used for protective insulation.

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