OHIO STEEL PRODUCTION RISES THIRD STRAIGHT QUARTER; STEEL SHIPMENTS POST GAIN THROUGH  FIRST NINE MONTHS

COLUMBUS, Ohio (November 26, 1996) –  Steel production in Ohio increased for the third straight quarter in 1996 and was 6.7 percent ahead of last year's pace for the first nine months of 1996, the Ohio Steel Commission reported today.

The Commission's third-quarter Ohio Steel Data Report shows that the state's nine primary steelmakers produced nearly 14 million tons through September 1996, compared to slightly more than 13 million tons in the first nine months of 1995.

Steel production for the third quarter of 1996 was up 3.8 percent over the third quarter of 1995.

In addition, Ohio steel shipments increased 1.9 percent through September 1996 compared to the corresponding nine months of 1995, exceeding 11 million tons. For the quarter, shipments were up 9.6 percent over third-quarter 1995.

"The industry achieved these gains by capitalizing on increased market demand and by bringing new steelmaking technologies on line," said Harold V. Kelly, Commission co-chairman and executive vice president and general counsel of Republic Engineered Steels, Inc. in Massillon.

Capital investment spending for the first nine months of 1996 was more than $252 million, as Ohio steel producers continue to upgrade their facilities.

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 is a public-private partnership to strengthen ties among the steel industry, the state of Ohio and its citizens. The Commission's member organizations are AK Steel Corp., Armco Inc., CSC Ltd., LTV Steel Co., Republic Engineered Steels, Inc., The Timken Company, USS/KOBE Steel Company, 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. is an associate member.