Open / Close Advertisement

Lakeside Increases Production; Recalls Temporarily Laid-off Employees

01/14/2010 - Lakeside Steel Inc. has increased production on its Stretch Reduction Mill by adding production shifts to meet stronger demand for its OCTG products. The company has also recalled all of its temporarily laid-off employees, returning to full employment for the first time since November 2008.

Lakeside Steel Inc. has increased production on its Stretch Reduction Mill by adding production shifts to meet stronger demand for its oil country tubular goods (OCTG) products. The company has also recalled all of its temporarily laid-off employees, returning to full employment for the first time since November 2008.
 
Based on current orders, the company expects its Stretch Reduction Mill and ERW 2"-8" Mill to operate at or near capacity through April 2010.
 
Lakeside says that increased demand for its OCTG products has been driven by the enhanced end finishing capabilities of its new upsetting and threading operations, which became operational in December 2009, and also by the increase in prices for oil and natural gas. The company notes that favorable rulings in OCTG-related trade cases in Canada and the United States involving Chinese manufactured products have also positively impacted Canadian OCTG manufacturers.
 
The first production runs of Lakeside's higher-grade P110 casing and tube products were recently shipped using the company's newly installed rail yard.
 
"We are very pleased to be able to return to full employment at Lakeside Steel as we have one of the most skilled and dedicated workforces in the industry,” said Ron Bedard, Lakeside Steel's President and COO. “Our upsetting and threading capabilities and our new rail yard have positioned the company to take full advantage of the increased demand we are seeing in 2010. By adding additional shifts to our mills, we will be able to shorten lead times, improve customer service, and continue to realize operational efficiencies. Our focus is to continue this positive momentum through 2010."
 
Lakeside Steel, located in Welland, Ont., is a diversified steel pipe and tubing manufacturer. Its customers include large oil and gas, mining, automotive, and commercial and industrial supply companies. The company also manufactures pipe and mechanical tubing for the resale market, which is sold to distributors in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern United States. Lakeside manufactures a variety of products for these industries including oil well tubing and casing, mechanical tubing, pressure tubing, automotive tubing, hollows for redraw, line pipe, heating and plumbing pipe, drill rod, and specialty tubing.