The rolling operations of Argentinian steel plate producer Laminados Industriales are very limited, working only a few days of the month, sources within the mill said Friday.
"All machinery remains offline for about 90% of the month, and during a few days the company produces small volumes to very specific clients," one source said.
The company's operation was completely offline in January-April, but were resumed in May. At the time, the rolling stoppage was agreed to between company and workers.
Laminados Industriales declined comment on the issue.
Sources attribute the company's poor performance to reduced demand from the shipbuilding industry and also to increased competition with imported material. The government has allowed steel plate imports as part of its new open market policy.
Laminados Industriales is a subsidiary of Italy's AFV Beltrame Group and usually imports steel slabs from third parties.
The company has an installed capacity of 300,000 mt/year. It produces plate thicknesses of 6 mm-100 mm. It is based in Villa Constitucion in Santa Fe Province.
