Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Corp. has completed more than half of a demolition program that is expected to generate in excess of $1.1 million in scrap steel savings.

Initiated in the first quarter, the program involves demolition of buildings and permanently idled mill and railroad equipment at all six of the company's primary and finishing plants. Scrap from the demolition is being cut to size for use in the company's basic oxygen furnace (BOF). Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel will use all ferrous scrap from the demolition program. The demolition program is expected to be completed by late summer.

"We took a careful look at the value of our idle equipment and vacant buildings due to the record high scrap steel prices," said Donald E. Keaton, Vice President of Steelmaking and Procurement. "We were very fortunate to begin the demolition program as scrap prices peaked and have been very pleased with the results."

Among the largest pieces of equipment being turned into scrap steel is the company's No. 3 blast furnace, located at Mingo Junction, Ohio, and its sinter plant, located at Follansbee, W.Va. The No. 3 blast furnace was idled in 1996, while the sinter plant shutdown occurred in 1999. The company continues to operate two blast furnaces.

Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Corp. is a metal products company with 3,100 employees in facilities located in Steubenville, Mingo Junction, Yorkville, and Martins Ferry, Ohio; Beech Bottom and Follansbee, W.Va.; and Allenport, Pa. The company's Wheeling Corrugating Division has 12 plants located throughout the United States.