HUNTINGTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Steel of West Virginia announced Wednesday that it will eliminate about 100 jobs as part of a multi-year, $30 million investment aimed at modernizing its Huntington plant and ensuring long-term sustainability.
The company, which produces specialty steel products and employs more than 600 workers, said the change will involve permanently shutting down its decades-old melt shop — described as a “1950s vintage” operation that has reached the end of its life cycle.
While the melt shop will close, Steel of West Virginia (SWVA) plans to invest heavily in its two rolling mills to boost productivity and efficiency.
The modernization effort is expected to preserve around 500 jobs at the facility.
SWVA General Manager Michael Winarta said the move is essential to maintaining profitability and meeting growing demand for American-made steel.
“By optimizing our rolling mill operations and using readily available domestic steel billets, we believe we will be positioned to achieve a sustainable profit profile that supports continued operations, meets customer demand, and supports meaningful manufacturing jobs,” Winarta said.
To assist employees affected by the change, the company plans to work with its bargaining unit and staff to align expertise and staffing with the restructured operations.
“Our dedicated local employees are the heart of SWVA, and that will not change as we look forward to a strong future right here in the Jewel City,” Winarta added.
The $30 million investment is part of a broader strategy to upgrade the plant’s rolling mills, supported by what the company described as a positive market outlook driven by U.S. trade policy and an increasing trend of “onshoring” in manufacturing.
