Steelworkers Laud Allegheny Technologies' Strategic Investment; Commitment to Western Pennsylvania Manufacturing

Contact: Wayne Ranick (412) 562-2444

(Pittsburgh, PA) – The United Steelworkers (USW) hailed today’s announcement by Allegheny Technologies (ATI) to invest more than $1 billion in its Flat-Rolled Products segment. 

“This investment is consistent to our recently concluded agreements within the steel industry,” said Leo W. Gerard, USW International president. “Significant capital investment in North America is a central part of our strategic planning and this announcement today is another example of that progress.”

ATI has tentatively chosen Brackenridge, PA as the site of a new advanced specialty metals hot rolling and processing facility, pending state and local governmental approvals. This strategic investment will also result in the consolidation of the Natrona, PA grain-oriented electrical steel melt shop into ATI’s Brackenridge, PA melt shop.

“The USW applauds this significant investment and in ATI’s commitment to this region and to US manufacturing,” said USW International vice president Tom Conway.  “This project announcement has been long awaited and is in large part due to the early work the USW and the company have done together to establish a framework for the mill being located here.”

ATI announced that it expected that it would take four years to complete this project. ATI anticipates annual capital expenditures to be $500-$600 billion for 2009 through 2012.

“The addition of this hot mill is crucial to the future of our members at the Brackenridge facility and across ATI,” said Conway. “The USW also recognizes the dedication and hard work of the leadership at Local 1196 and their vision for the future of their members, the community. By working together we have brought stability and longevity to the workforce there.”

The USW represent 850,000 members in North America, including more than 180,000 in primary and fabricated metals manufacturing.

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