Gerdau Ameristeel suspends production in New Jersey

Gerdau Ameristeel Corporation is suspending production at its Sayreville, New Jersey steel mill and closing its rolling mill in neighboring Perth Amboy, New Jersey due to lower demand for its products resulting from the downturn in the economy. The company said these actions are expected to occur gradually over the next several months. The company indicated that it would restart operations at the Sayreville facility when business conditions warrant.

The company is also entering into discussions with the United Steel Workers regarding the potential closure of the Company’s steel mill located in Sand Springs, Oklahoma.

The Sayreville facility will continue to carry a full range of products in inventory available for shipment or customer pickup until production resumes.

Mario Longhi, president and CEO of Gerdau Ameristeel commented, “This was a very difficult decision that came after careful analysis and review of the marketplace, our production capabilities, and the most cost effective alternatives to meet the current and future needs of our customers throughout North America during this unprecedented economic downturn. These actions follow a series of steps the company has taken over the last nine months to reduce its costs.”

In connection with these actions, depending on the outcome of the Sand Springs discussions, the Company expects to incur an after tax charge from approximately $80 million to $140 million related to these closures. Of these amounts, between approximately $15 million to $30 million are expected to be cash costs for severance and facility closure expenses. Depending on the outcome of the Sand Springs discussions, the company expects to realize annualized pre-tax cash savings of approximately $35 million to $70 million as a result of these actions. In accordance with US GAAP requirements, the company anticipates some of these charges to be included in the three month period ended June 30, 2009 and some to be included in the three month period ended September 30, 2009.