AK Steel

AK Steel was an American steel company headquartered in West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio. The company produced flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel products, primarily for the automotive, infrastructure and manufacturing markets.

Founded in 1899 as the Armco Steel Corporation (American Rolling Mill Company), the company initially focused on manufacturing specialized steel sheets for a variety of industries. The name "AK Steel" was adopted in 1993, reflecting the combination of Armco and Kawasaki Steel's operations. Kawasaki Steel held a significant stake in the company for many years.

Throughout its history, AK Steel operated several steelmaking facilities, including plants in Middletown, Ohio; Butler, Pennsylvania; Dearborn, Michigan; and Ashland, Kentucky. These facilities employed thousands of workers and played a crucial role in the regional economies where they were located.

AK Steel specialized in high-strength, lightweight steels used in the automotive industry to improve fuel efficiency and safety. They also produced stainless steel for various applications, including appliances, construction, and food processing. Electrical steel, used in transformers and motors, was another key product.

In December 2019, Cleveland-Cliffs, a major iron ore producer, announced its acquisition of AK Steel. The acquisition was completed in March 2020, and AK Steel ceased to exist as an independent entity, becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cleveland-Cliffs. The AK Steel name was subsequently retired, with operations integrated under the Cleveland-Cliffs banner. The acquisition significantly expanded Cleveland-Cliffs' reach into the steelmaking industry, creating a vertically integrated steel and mining company.