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"Ohio Steel Shipping, Production Reach Four-Year High"
"COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Shipping and production for Ohio's steel industry reached a four-year high for the first nine months of 2004, reflecting strong demand in most steel markets, according to the latest report from the Ohio Steel Council. Steel production for the first nine months of 2004 was 11 million tons, the highest figure since 2000, when production was 13.6 million tons. Production for 2004 is up 14.9% compared with the corresponding period in 2003. Shipments were 11.4 million tons for the first nine months of 2004, up 13.4 % over the 2003 period. Shipments are the highest since 2000, when they were 12.2 million tons for the first nine months, the report found. With the exception of 2000, 2004 may shape up as one of the strongest years since 1997. The Ohio Steel Council's records do not go beyond 1997. Capital investment spending for the first nine months of 2004 was also at a five-year high at $176.5 million, a 79% increase over the same period in 2003. Ohio steel producers are investing in state-of-the-art technological advancements. "Ohio has experienced a more robust steel market than we've seen in the past few years," said Chuck Glazer, manager, communications and public relations for International Steel Group Inc. "An upturn in the manufacturing sector, as well as consolidation in the steel industry and flexible, productive union agreements, has allowed us to invest in additional efficiencies for our plants." Ohio Steel employment fell 5.6% to 15,274 in the first nine months of 2004 compared to 16,190 during the same period in 2003. Meanwhile, payroll was $680 million, up 1.3% compared to the same time period a year ago. The Ohio Steel Data Report, compiled by Youngstown State University's Center for Urban Studies, covers statistics from Ohio facilities of the Council's steel-producing members. The Council is a public-private partnership that includes member organizations AK Steel Corp., International Steel Group Inc., Ohio Department of Development, Ohio House of Representatives, Ohio Senate, The Ohio State University, PRO-TEC Coating Company, Republic Engineered Products Inc., Stark State College of Technology, The Timken Co., United Steelworkers of America, USS Lorain Pipe Mills, V&M STAR, WCI Steel Inc., and Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. "