U. S. Steel Invests $28.3 Million at Great Lakes Works to Install State-of-the-Art, Fiber-Optic Laser Beam Welder

Upgrades Will Increase Great Lakes Works’ Capacity to Produce High-Quality Advanced High-Strength Steel

Additional Upgrades Include High-Performance Dual-Pass Entry Shears

ECORSE, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--U. S. Steel has accepted delivery of a new, state-of-the-art, fiber-optic laser beam welder at its Great Lakes Works pickle line, a key component of a $28.3 million investment in advanced, high-strength upgrades at the facility. In addition to the laser welder, the Great Lakes Works pickle line will also be outfitted with high-performance dual-entry shears, capable of serving two pass lines, during a 30-day outage scheduled to begin in October.

“The strength of Great Lakes Works is its people,” said David B. Burritt, President and CEO of U. S. Steel. “This investment gives them modern tools, builds new skills, and helps ensure steelmaking has a strong future in Michigan. When we invest in our people, we invest in the future of U. S. Steel.”

The $28.3 million investment funds critical upgrades and introduces new technologies that will strengthen U. S. Steel’s competitiveness by increasing operating efficiency and supporting more reliable production. Customers will benefit from elevated product quality and timelier delivery to meet their production requirements.

The upgrades address two critical steps in continuous pickle line processing: The laser welder connects the end of one steel coil to the beginning of the next, allowing the steel to move continuously through the line; while the dual-pass entry shears crop off any anomalies prior to welding two coils together. Combined, they will enable Great Lakes Works to produce more advanced high-strength steel.

“We are kickstarting a powerful new chapter for steelmaking in Michigan,” said Executive Vice President & Chief Manufacturing Officer – North American Flat-Rolled Segment Scott Buckiso. “This is just one more example of how we are strengthening facilities and leveraging modern technology to ensure U. S. Steel remains an industry leader now and well into the future.”

In addition to delivering benefits to customers, the Great Lakes Works enhancements also benefit employees through 3D virtual training received prior to installation and skills development they will continue to gain on the job.

About U. S. Steel

Founded in 1901, U. S. Steel delivers profitable and sustainable steel solutions. Propelled by its talented employees and an unwavering focus on safety, U. S. Steel serves the automotive, construction, appliance, energy, containers, and packaging industries with high value-added steel products. Steel production begins with our competitively advantaged iron ore production capabilities which fuel our integrated steelmaking facilities and investments in electric arc furnaces. U. S. Steel is at the forefront of creating steels that are stronger, lighter, and better for the environment. This includes our proprietary XG3^® advanced high-strength steel, verdeX^® steel produced with 70-80% lower CO² emissions with a recycled content of up to 90%, and ultra-thin lightweight InduX™ steel for electric vehicles, generators, and transformers. U. S. Steel maintains operations across the United States and in Central Europe and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.ussteel.com and follow U. S. Steel on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X.