Local steel maker re-starts work two years after production halt by Mechel

Steel maker Laminorul Braila, which was closed down in 2012 while controlled by Russian Mechel, will re-start production in August this year, under the new owner Invest Nikarom. The unit will hire 234 people for this first production campaign, and 128 people are already working on repairs, revision and preparing equipment. Laminorul Braila will start production of 10,000 tonnes of steel products for shipyards and for the construction industry on August 4. Depending on the results and on the demand for the products made at Braila, the owners will decide on a strategy for the coming period. Invest Nikarom did not mention for what period of time it hired the 234 people. When it closed down in December 2012, Laminorul Braila laid off most of its 300 employees, keeping only about 20 for technical maintenance. Laminorul Braila became insolvent last year. Invest Nikarom also owns steel makers Mechel Câmpia Turzii, Ductil Steel Oţelu Roşu, Ductil Steel Buzău and Mechel Târgovişte, all taken over from Mechel for the symbolic amount of EUR 52. New Mechel Targoviste owners lay off a quarter of staff, re-start production Mechel sells Romanian factories for symbolic amount to stop bleeding money editor@romania-insider.com