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Article courtesy of Delaware Online.
Evraz Claymont Steel is shutting all operations effective Dec. 13, employees were told today.
Joe O’brien, who said he’s worked at the plant for 15½ years, said the company had a meeting this morning and announced that everyone would be laid off or terminated.
“It’s sad, its very, very sad. A lot of people had a lot of years there and everybody’s life is changed,” O’Brien said outside the plant.
Another employee, who asked that his name not be used, said the closing would happen by Dec. 13.
Catherine Rossi, a spokeswoman for Gov. Jack Markell, said she could not confirm the news but that an announcement was planned by the company at the plant later this morning.
A delivery person near the plant said when he attempted to make a delivery there today he was told to come back later because there was a meeting scheduled, and when he returned to make the delivery later he was told the plant is closed for the day.
Another delivery person, William Tucker with PGT Trucking, also said he was told the plant had shut down for the day.
In April, the company had announced the layoff of 60 workers.
After those layoffs were announced, company spokeswoman Melodie Ruse said the plant had about 400 workers remaining, she said.
Evraz, a large Russian steel company, acquired the steel mill in 2007 for $564.8 million. The plant along Philadelphia Pike and the Delaware River is 93 years old.
Evraz Claymont Steel is shutting all operations effective Dec. 13, employees were told today.
Joe O’brien, who said he’s worked at the plant for 15½ years, said the company had a meeting this morning and announced that everyone would be laid off or terminated.
“It’s sad, its very, very sad. A lot of people had a lot of years there and everybody’s life is changed,” O’Brien said outside the plant.
Another employee, who asked that his name not be used, said the closing would happen by Dec. 13.
Catherine Rossi, a spokeswoman for Gov. Jack Markell, said she could not confirm the news but that an announcement was planned by the company at the plant later this morning.
A delivery person near the plant said when he attempted to make a delivery there today he was told to come back later because there was a meeting scheduled, and when he returned to make the delivery later he was told the plant is closed for the day.
Another delivery person, William Tucker with PGT Trucking, also said he was told the plant had shut down for the day.
In April, the company had announced the layoff of 60 workers.
After those layoffs were announced, company spokeswoman Melodie Ruse said the plant had about 400 workers remaining, she said.
Evraz, a large Russian steel company, acquired the steel mill in 2007 for $564.8 million. The plant along Philadelphia Pike and the Delaware River is 93 years old.
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On a more personal note:
I don't think that there is a person in Claymont that has not worked there or does not know at least a person that works there. Claymont has always been a sort of close knit community. I have some friends of mine that work there and I am sad for them.
It would not be the first time that the plant was closed, but hopefully not the last. When I grew up it was called Phoenix Steel and had several times during it's operation when the plant was closed. I was young then so I do not remember the details of the closings, maybe workers' strike or something, but I do remember some closures
I don't think that there is a person in Claymont that has not worked there or does not know at least a person that works there. Claymont has always been a sort of close knit community. I have some friends of mine that work there and I am sad for them.
It would not be the first time that the plant was closed, but hopefully not the last. When I grew up it was called Phoenix Steel and had several times during it's operation when the plant was closed. I was young then so I do not remember the details of the closings, maybe workers' strike or something, but I do remember some closures
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Then in the '80's, A Chinese group bought the plant and resumed operations for several years and again closing down and selling off the business.
The steel plant is the fabric of the town. It was the reason that the school district built a large education complex including Green Street Elementary and the new Claymont High School.
I think that most of us are used to hard times and adversity. Life is always a challenge and a struggle and this just adds to that struggle. The plant will be closing in a couple of months, as did so many times in the past. Hopefully, this closing will be another stepping stone for another company wanting to build in America. We would only hope further that maybe, just maybe an American owned company will take over operations and reinvest in America and keep our friends and family working.
To all my friends and all the other workers at Evraz Steel, Good Luck and Best wishes.
The steel plant is the fabric of the town. It was the reason that the school district built a large education complex including Green Street Elementary and the new Claymont High School.
I think that most of us are used to hard times and adversity. Life is always a challenge and a struggle and this just adds to that struggle. The plant will be closing in a couple of months, as did so many times in the past. Hopefully, this closing will be another stepping stone for another company wanting to build in America. We would only hope further that maybe, just maybe an American owned company will take over operations and reinvest in America and keep our friends and family working.
To all my friends and all the other workers at Evraz Steel, Good Luck and Best wishes.
Stay Strong!!!
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