US integrated steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs to acquire Canadian integrated steelmaker Stelco
The acquisition of Stelco, an independent steel manufacturer in Hamilton, Ontario, was announced by both companies this morning. Stelco shareholders will receive C$60/share ($44/share) of Stelco common stock and 0.454 shares of Cliffs common stock, or $C10/share of Stelco common stock. The deal is valued at C$3.4 billion ($2.5 billion) and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to a press release.
Stelco will maintain its headquarters in Hamilton and capital investments of at least C$60 million will be made over the next three years. Stelco will seek to increase production from current levels and will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary.
In its press release, Cliffs stated that the acquisition of Stelco will double Cliffs' presence in the flat rolled steel spot market. adding that Stelco's primary customer base is service centers purchasing hot-rolled coil (HRC) products.
According to the quarterly report, Stelco shipped 636,000 short tons (st) of steel products in the first quarter, of which 74 % were hot-rolled coils.
According to the company, Cliffs already operates seven tooling and stamping plants in Canada, as well as a scrap yard operated by its Ferrous Processing and Trading Company (FPT). All are located in Ontario.
United Steelworkers (USW) chief David McCall is reported to support the deal.
Cliffs' decision to buy Stelco comes nearly a year after Cliffs made an unsuccessful attempt to acquire a competitor in the steel industry, US Steel.
Japanese steel company Nippon Steel is currently is in negotiations to buy US Steelfor $15 billion. The deal has been the subject of public political controversy and open disputes among executives of Cleveland-Cliffs, US Steel, Nippon Steel and USW.