Mini-Steelplants in the United States: Some Technological and Locational Characteristics

CHANGES IN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY HAVE INFLUENCED THE GROWTH AND SUCCESS OF NEIGHBORHOOD STEEL PLANTS OR MINI MILLS. THEIR COMPETITIVE SUCCESS HAS BEEN TIED TO THE UTILIZATION OF THE ELECTRIC FURNACE AND RELATED PROCESS TECHNOLOGY, SCRAP INPUTS, AND THE FLEXIBLE SERVICING OF SPECIALIZED MARKETS. BASED ON A COMPARATIVELY STANDARDIZED, LIMITED CAPITAL, LOW PRODUCTION COST PROCESS TECHNOLOGY, THE MINI MILL REPRESENTS AN ORGANIZATIONALLY SIMPLE PRODUCTION UNIT CAPABLE OF INDEPENDENT OPERATION OR BRANCH OPERATION IN AN INTEGRATED STEEL COMPANY. THE MILLS DISPLAY MUCH LOCATIONAL FLEXIBILITY WITH RESPECT TO MARKETS, WHICH STEMS FROM AN ABILITY TO SERVICE RECOGNIZED MARKETS MORE EFFECTIVELY, AND FROM PRODUCT INNOVATION RESPONSIVE TO THE CHANGING NATURE OF THE MARKET. TABLES. CHART. DIAGRAM. REFERENCES.