[Alter Kaker]

There really should be a US steel industry to capitalize on high-tech boutique steels like this new alloy. The unbelievably stupid refusal of the US producers like USX to modernize and specialize, when the similarly high-cost Europeans have been doing this profitably for 20 years+, is beyond me.

Why do the American steel producers still think they can compete with the Koreans, Japanese, Chinese and Russians by mass producing mass quantities of cheep steal?

[mo]

“Why do the American steel producers still think they can compete with the Koreans, Japanese, Chinese and Russian...”

Because they’re pricipally competing against the EPA and vociferous “Green” congresscritters...

[PugetSoundSoldier]

Why do the American steel producers still think they can compete with the Koreans, Japanese, Chinese and Russians by mass producing mass quantities of cheep steal?

I've been to steel mills in the US, South Korea, and China.

In China, you have hundreds of people earning $0.25/hour doing the work. The floor crawls with people.

In South Korea, you have 1/50th the people, sitting in overhead control rooms operating kilns and blast furnaces remotely, making $10/hour.

In the US, you have hundreds of people earning $30/hour (once benefits are factored in) all over the floor.

The reason for the US situation? I was told by management it was because the unions eliminated the chance for layoffs or modernization to replace workers.

The shift workers on the floor in the US were proud there were as many employees per kiln as there were 50 years ago, and all the jobs were saved...

[Hazcat]

Why do the American steel producers still think they can compete with the Koreans, Japanese, Chinese and Russians by mass producing mass quantities of cheep steal?

UMMM... I believe the word is UNIONS!