Scunthorpe Steelworks 1973–2006: a history of continuous development Part 1 – Strategic overview

Abstract

The Scunthorpe Works of Corus, formerly the Appleby-Frodingham Steel Company, has been producing iron since 1865 and steel since 1890. It remains one of the UK's premier steel plants with a current capacity of 4·8 Mt/year of liquid steel. Today the Works remains as an integrated site with a somewhat unique mix of products including heavy plates, sections, semi-finished billets and slabs, wire rods and fabricated construction products, with rails being introduced from 2007. Corus is currently implementing a project to build another bloom caster, enhance the rod mill, and roll 120 m long rails in the medium section mill, at a cost of £130 m. This is the most significant capital project at Scunthorpe since the 1960s and is due for completion in late 2007. The project is a strong indicator of the future potential of Scunthorpe Works and is testament to the achievements of management and workforce over a period of more than 30 years in a harsh commercial environment.