Earlier in 2016, U.S. Steel announced its intent to lay off more than 400 employees at its Lone Star plant in Morris County, Texas. The Pittsburgh-headquartered company will now close its No. 1 electric-weld mill at the Lone Star tubular operations plant. The mill, which supplied the energy industry with manufactured tubular products, has been idle since March.

U.S. Steel called the closure a strategic decision, following a careful look at market conditions for tubular products, along with reduced rig counts and “unfairly traded imports,” a spokesperson for the company said. She added that the decision would not impact employees who are on layoff, since the lines were idled. Seventy workers in Lone Star are laid off.

The remainder of the Lone Star plant at 6866 S.H. 259 South, is operating at reduced capacity, with 230 employees active at the plant.

For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Amy Sorter

For advertising information, please contact Joni Margotta