Union Pacific Railroad received the first stick of rail from Rocky Mountain Steel’s new long rail mill in Pueblo, Colorado. This marked the $1.2 billion rolling mill's official start of operations. Union Pacific leadership, led by CEO Jim Vena, toured the mill for a tour and met with Rocky Mountain's employees. The two companies have a seven-year contract for the domestic production of steel rails. Union Pacific purchased the first stick of rail produced by the original Pueblo rail mill in 1882. Since then, the two companies have strengthened their partnership, which has lasted 144 years so far. Rocky Mountain Steel is the only remaining dedicated rail production facility in the United States and rail is produced by members of the United Steelworkers union.
“When two great companies come together with a shared purpose, the benefits extend far beyond our businesses,” said Vena. "Our renewed partnership will help strengthen our country's supply chain and demonstrates the importance of reliable rail transportation in keeping our economy moving.”
“Pueblo’s steelmaking heritage represents the resilience, innovation and workforce strength that define American manufacturing,” said Doug Matthews, CEO of Orion Steel, the parent company of Rocky Mountain Steel Mills.
“USW members have a long history of manufacturing the steel that serves as the backbone of our nation’s critical infrastructure,” said USW International President Roxanne Brown. “We’re proud to continue that tradition at Rocky Mountain Steel, where the rails they produce for Union Pacific will keep America moving and ensure a strong, union-made future for our communities for generations to come.”
With an annual capacity of 1.1 million tons of electric arc furnace-based steel, the Pueblo facility also produces wire rod and rebar for infrastructure, construction, telecom, and automotive applications, and seamless oil country tubular goods.
