United States Steel Corp. plans to temporarily idle operations at two Canadian facilities over the next several weeks in an effort to maximize efficiency while meeting customer demands. The company will idle both coking and finishing operations at its Hamilton Works in Hamilton, Ontario, as well as steelmaking and finishing operations at Lake Erie Works near Nanticoke, Ontario. The coking operations at Lake Erie Works will continue production. Approximately 1,500 employees will be affected. U.S. Steel plans to continue to temporarily concentrate production at its Mon Valley Works near Pittsburgh, Pa.; Gary Works in Gary, Ind.; and Fairfield Works near Birmingham, Ala.

OAO Severstalconfirmed the temporary idling of the steel galvanizing line at its Several Warren (Ohio) facility. Both the galvanizing line and mill will remain shut down while the company balances production volume with demand. The mill has been off-line since October 2008.