Site switch could save 110 axed steel jobs

MORE THAN 160 jobs are to go at Liberty Steel’s plant in Stocksbridge as part of the firm’s restructuring and transformation.

Yesterday’s announcement was for a planned reduction of 162 roles at the site near Sheffield, plus 45 at a plant in West Bromwich.

But at the same time the company also announced an increase of up to 161 roles at its Rotherham plant as part of its “green” steel operation.

It could potentially mean that if workers were prepared to switch from Stocksbridge to Rotherham, at least 110 jobs could be rescued.

Liberty Steel said: “In May 2021 Liberty Steel UK (LSUK) took the decision to grow and invest in its core green steel operation at Rotherham with an ambition to build it into a two million tonne per annum recycling production facility.

“At the same time LSUK announced it would seek either an outright sale or partnership for its non-core special alloys businesses.

“This would allow a more focused and strategic ownership structure which would look to grow this important and valuable business serving customers in aerospace, automotive and other highly engineered applications.

“LSUK is today launching a consultation with its employees and unions to complete the restructuring of the special alloys businesses to enhance their productivity and competitiveness ahead of a possible sale or part

nership. This is anticipated to result in a net reduction of approximately 50 roles after factoring in new and vacant roles at its green steel operation in Rotherham.

“LSUK is confident that this restructuring will put these businesses on a sustainable footing, giving them a strong commercial future in their target markets.

“LSUK has always sought to minimise the impact of any changes in the business and foresees the potential to mitigate a large percentage of the role reductions by transferring employees to comparable roles at the Rotherham plant.”