Multiple media reports and a statement from Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman (D) indicate that Cleveland-Cliffs is idling three steel mills, including the one at 900 Conshohocken Road in Conshohocken (Plymouth Township). According to the reports, the idling will begin this summer, and there is no established timetable to reopen the plants. However, an official from the company refers to the situation as “temporary” and cites the lack of demand from the railroad industry as the root cause, and that it is not related to tariffs.

In addition to Conshohocken, Cleveland Cliffs will idle the Steelton, PA mill and another in Riverdale, IL. According to Cleveland-Cliffs, as of December 2024, the Conshohocken mill had 115 employees.

From Argus Media:

The idlings will impact about 950 workers spread across the 700,000 short ton (st)/yr Riverdale high-carbon coil mill in Illinois, the 500,000st/yr Conshohocken specialty plate mill in Pennsylvania and the 300,000st/yr Steelton, Pennsylvania railroad rail mill, a company spokesperson told Argus.

Senator John Fetterman offered the following statement to ABC27 News in Harrisburg:

“Earlier today, I was informed that Cleveland Cliffs will be idling their Steelton Rail and Conshohocken Rail Finishing facilities,” said Fetterman on Friday afternoon. “My primary concern is for the impacted workers and their families. My team and I will continue talking to affected workers and community members to understand how this temporary closure will impact union jobs and our local economy. I’ll always stand with Pennsylvania’s steelworkers – they helped build our country, and we need to have their backs.”

As of 7:00 p.m. on May 2nd, a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notice has not been recorded on the Department of Labor and Industry’s website. This notice is required to be submitted to the state when an employer is planning significant layoffs or a closure.

Cleveland-Cliffs acquired the plant from ArcelorMittal in 2020.

Photo: Google