I'm a Union laborer and work at Salem and hope Creek nuke plant on the Delaware river in South Jersey all the Iron beams 6" to 36" have Bethlehem on Them.
They might have found a cheaper way but it wasn't "better".I have seen vehicles that were barely 5 years old almost completely rusted out and ready for scrap.
Too bad. They talk about foreign competition making this plant uneconomic...but if Asia and Europe have more efficient steel production, couldn't they have adapted this one to be more efficient too, so it could continue to compete? Surely American engineers are at least as good as those in other counties, and could have designed improvements? Something doesn't seem right here.
My grandfather Ferdinand Ackerman, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, he worked at Blast Furnace from 1947 - 1987, when he retired after 40 years. His father died there, Alex Ackerman. Grandfather, He passed in 2014.
Worked for Bethlehem at their plant in Vernon, Cal. for a while when I got out of the USMC in 1967/1968. Diesel/Hydraulic Mechanic. Everything from the Train engines down to the lawnmower was repaired in our shop.
What is left of this plant is really impressive. The plant drawings framed around the space which is open to the public are really something to see. It's awesome to see rust belt cities reinvent.
thanks for posting this bruce. i hope your doing well. the loss of these cradle to grave industries leaves us directionless and disillusioned when it comes to being focused on the jobs we are given. when prospects look bleak some people turn to vice. in my case i got put up for adoption because they mechanized the coal mines when he who begat me had just gotten back from vietnam.
My Father worked for Bethlehem Steel. He was 8 years old when he became foreman for the raising gang. I actually have fond memories of going to work with him in 62'. I was born in 83' though. worked for Bethlehem myself, from 86' to 95'. Miss those days. Thanks for the memories!
What is no mentioned is that Beth Steel problem started with the construction of the WTC in the 1960s when it was cheaper to bring in finished steel from Japan; they were the most expensive bidder, while expecting to the contract. They had a retirement program that permitted guys to leave after 25 years, but was not backed by monies to maintain that policy. Like GM needs to have about $2000 of every car go to retirement as they set up their retirement funds. The idea with both companies was … we can cover that later.
A good friend of mine worked as a switchman for the Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England Railroad till it to was no longer needed by Bethlehem Steel to do the outer plant switching work. He managed to find a job with Norfolk Southern Railroad and still lives in the Allentown area.
I worked for Bethlehem in the 70’s. Great place. Very poor upper management decision making. Put 750 million in oil fired furnaces in Johnstown, pa. During the oil crisis. Really? Never fired them up. Bitched about foreign steel then bought iron ore carriers made in Korea instead of at their own ship building operations. Sold off operations and gave up beam manufacturing to Nucor Yamato and pushed them from mini mill to their own competition. Book out there by Ron Thomas knew him personally. Tells all. Brought in a bean counter to run the place. Told us no layoffs. Proceeded to lay off 44,000 employees not by talent but longest employed. I was one of the first. So sad.
My whole family and famiky friends worked there for years and all types of jobs but they do miss the old days tho and its sad too see it no longer arpund
Holy smokes. I was researching the railroad because I just bought an old Lionel Bethlehem Steel Dock Switcher train. I wanted to do some research. Turns out they closed on the year I was born.
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I'm a Union laborer and work at Salem and hope Creek nuke plant on the Delaware river in South Jersey all the Iron beams 6" to 36" have Bethlehem on Them.
They might have found a cheaper way but it wasn't "better".I have seen vehicles that were barely 5 years old almost completely rusted out and ready for scrap.
There will never be a business you can commit your entire life to like Bethlehem Steel. Its so sad
Too bad. They talk about foreign competition making this plant uneconomic...but if Asia and Europe have more efficient steel production, couldn't they have adapted this one to be more efficient too, so it could continue to compete? Surely American engineers are at least as good as those in other counties, and could have designed improvements? Something doesn't seem right here.
My grandfather Ferdinand Ackerman, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, he worked at Blast Furnace from 1947 - 1987, when he retired after 40 years. His father died there, Alex Ackerman. Grandfather, He passed in 2014.
Worked for Bethlehem at their plant in Vernon, Cal. for a while when I got out of the USMC in 1967/1968. Diesel/Hydraulic Mechanic. Everything from the Train engines down to the lawnmower was repaired in our shop.
What is left of this plant is really impressive. The plant drawings framed around the space which is open to the public are really something to see. It's awesome to see rust belt cities reinvent.
thanks for posting this bruce. i hope your doing well. the loss of these cradle to grave industries leaves us directionless and disillusioned when it comes to being focused on the jobs we are given. when prospects look bleak some people turn to vice. in my case i got put up for adoption because they mechanized the coal mines when he who begat me had just gotten back from vietnam.
OMG my grandpa worked at that plant in 1925
My father left the steel in 75, made his pension Sayes sign ara. Painted houses and made it work out .with 4kids and a house wife. My dad ,my hero.🙄🤔🙏
My Father worked for Bethlehem Steel. He was 8 years old when he became foreman for the raising gang. I actually have fond memories of going to work with him in 62'. I was born in 83' though. worked for Bethlehem myself, from 86' to 95'. Miss those days. Thanks for the memories!
What is no mentioned is that Beth Steel problem started with the construction of the WTC in the 1960s when it was cheaper to bring in finished steel from Japan; they were the most expensive bidder, while expecting to the contract. They had a retirement program that permitted guys to leave after 25 years, but was not backed by monies to maintain that policy. Like GM needs to have about $2000 of every car go to retirement as they set up their retirement funds. The idea with both companies was … we can cover that later.
I did that exact job at Bethlehem Steel in Sparrows Point Maryland at
A good friend of mine worked as a switchman for the Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England Railroad till it to was no longer needed by Bethlehem Steel to do the outer plant switching work. He managed to find a job with Norfolk Southern Railroad and still lives in the Allentown area.
How could they not expect it? They started closing in 1977 - at least this one held on for 18 years longer.
I worked for Bethlehem in the 70’s. Great place. Very poor upper management decision making. Put 750 million in oil fired furnaces in Johnstown, pa. During the oil crisis. Really? Never fired them up. Bitched about foreign steel then bought iron ore carriers made in Korea instead of at their own ship building operations. Sold off operations and gave up beam manufacturing to Nucor Yamato and pushed them from mini mill to their own competition. Book out there by Ron Thomas knew him personally. Tells all. Brought in a bean counter to run the place. Told us no layoffs. Proceeded to lay off 44,000 employees not by talent but longest employed. I was one of the first. So sad.
My whole family and famiky friends worked there for years and all types of jobs but they do miss the old days tho and its sad too see it no longer arpund
RIP Richard "Dick" Kovacs July 15, 1947 ~ April 8, 2011
Holy smokes. I was researching the railroad because I just bought an old Lionel Bethlehem Steel Dock Switcher train. I wanted to do some research. Turns out they closed on the year I was born.
Gov allowed foreign gov subsidized steel. Now the big shots at companies are getting pension. Not the ones who do the job