ArcelorMittal to close Hamilton wire mill, lay off 153 workers amid restructuring

ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada says it will permanently shut down its wire drawing mill in Hamilton, Ont., in the coming weeks, cutting 153 jobs as part of a broader restructuring plan aimed at consolidating operations and improving competitiveness. The company announced June 11 that it will centralize all wire drawing activities at its Montreal, Que., facility. The move is intended to help the company meet performance targets in what it describes as a highly competitive steel market. The wire drawing business primarily serves the telecommunications, construction and automotive sectors. ArcelorMittal says it is committed to working with employee representatives to support those affected by the closure. “It is never an easy decision to close a site. First and foremost, all our efforts are focused on supporting the employees affected by this closure,” said Stephane Brochu, president and CEO of ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada. “The restructuring we are announcing today was necessary to ensure the sustainability of our wire drawing activities. It will allow us to improve our operational efficiency and secure our long-term competitiveness in the demanding wire drawing market.” The company employs more than 2,000 people across multiple sites in Quebec and produces semi-finished steel products such as billets, slabs, bars and wire rod for use in a range of industries.