OHIO STEEL PRODUCTION RISES IN FIRST QUARTER, STEEL COMISSION REPORTS

COLUMBUS, Ohio (May 30, 1996) –  First-quarter steel production in Ohio was up 15 percent over levels of last year's first quarter, according to a report by the Ohio Steel Commission.

The Commission's first-quarter Ohio Steel Data Report shows that the state's nine primary steel producers increased total production in the first three months of 1996 to more than 5.2 million tons, compared to just under 4.6 million tons a year earlier.

"This significant gain is an indication of stronger market conditions and a confidence that these conditions will continue for the near term," said Harold V. Kelly, co-chairman of the Commission and executive vice president and general counsel at Republic Engineered Steels, Inc. in Massillon.

Exports from Ohio facilities fell 33 percent amid higher domestic demand for steel.

Average employment was down 4 percent, to 27,998, from 29,190 a year ago. The decline was primarily a result of attrition and temporary weather-related outages during the quarter.

Capital investment for the quarter also declined from the year-earlier period. The previous year was a banner year for capital spending by Ohio steel companies.

The Ohio Steel Data Report, compiled for the Commission by Youngstown State University's Center for Urban Studies, covers statistics from the Ohio facilities of the Commission's nine steel company members. These companies account for more than 95 percent of the steel produced in Ohio.

The Ohio Steel Commission, appointed in 1991 by Gov. George V. Voinovich, is a public-private partnership designed to strengthen the ties among the steel industry, the state of Ohio and its citizens. The Commission's members are AK Steel Corp., Armco Inc., CSC Ltd., LTV Steel Co., Republic Engineered Steels, Inc., The Timken Company, USS/KOBE Steel Co., WCI Steel, Inc., Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp., the United Steelworkers of America, the Ohio Legislature, the Ohio Department of Development, The Ohio State University and Youngstown State University. Lukens Inc. serves as an associate member.