Grupo Simec, a leading international producer of special bar quality steel, steel wire, rebar, and commercial and structural steel long products, will indefinitely idle steelmaking operations at its Republic Steel mills in Canton, Ohio, and Lackawanna, N.Y.

The strength in SBQ has outlasted the market for many steel products, but how long will it continue? (Photo courtesy Gerdau Special Steel NA)

Alliance Steel takes the unconventional step of relocating its entire operation across state lines.

Following a strong 2018, the market for special quality bar products took a nosedive this year.

The market for special bar quality metal rebounded last year after underperforming the previous two years. Strong end markets and favorable market conditions carried those gains into 2018, and producers and distributors of SBQ products don’t see the bar lowering anytime soon.

Alliance Steel will relocate its Chicago-area facility from Bedford Park to Gary, Ind. The company is moving into a former Republic Steel building most recently occupied by ATCO-Gary Metal Technologies.

The announcement of steel tariffs by President Trump has Republic Steel ready to resume production at its idled facility in Lorain, Ohio.