WestChesterBuzz.com

Sue Kiesewetter reports

Four gigantic metal boxes used in the production of industrial gases are being shipped to an AK Steel supplier in Middletown and could cause traffic delays along its route in Hamilton and Butler counties beginning Wednesday.

The equipment is so large that four Duke Energy bucket trucks will travel with the equipment so that utility lines can be raised when needed.

“This is too tall for interstate overpasses,’’ said Mike Moreland with the Ohio Department of Transportation. “Utility lines might have to be moved along the route.”

A caravan that includes Duke’s trucks and the trailer carrying the equipment will be escorted by four Ohio State Highway Patrol, one Ohio Department of Transportation and two private vehicles.

In Butler County, the caravan will be joined by a crew from the engineer’s office and, in Middletown, by the police department, officials said.

“We get involved to help plan the route to make sure the load doesn’t exceed the weight limits on any bridges, the roads aren’t too narrow and underpasses are high enough,’’ said Chris Petrocy, spokesman for the Butler County Engineer’s Office.

Crews from the engineer’s office will remove signs at intersections the caravan will travel through and then reinstall the signs when it passes. Extra gravel may also be placed on some roadways.

The first of the oversized cold boxes will leave from the Ohio River at the Anderson Ferry at 9 a.m. Wednesday and should arrive at Air Products and Chemicals Inc., on Yankee Road in Middletown, by 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

At 238,562 pounds – about 119 tons – it is the smallest of the four pieces of equipment. The equipment measures between 146 and 175 feet in length, 18.5 feet wide and 19.5 feet high. The larger pieces weigh between 256,728 and 425,800 pounds – or 128 to 213 tons.

The boxes are used by Air Products to produce industrial gases used by AK Steel along with food, chemical, metal process, electronic, medical and other clients.

It is part of the company’s plan to build, own and operate a new air separation unit, hydrogen production facility and make improvements to liquefier operations to produce industrial gases.

The trailer carrying the rectangular shaped boxes will move no faster than 5 miles per hour on its journey.

Each cold box will be shipped separately, with two-day shipments leaving Wednesday, Friday, May 21 and May 24.

Posted in: News, Traffic |

Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel Middletown, AK Steel West Chester, Duke Energy, Ohio Department of Transportation, traffic

AK Steel, which is headquartered in West Chester, was recently named to this year’s Fortune 500 list of America’s largest corporations. The company was ranked 381st on this year’s list and generated approximately $6.5 billion in revenue in 2011.

In Cincinnati, there were eight other companies that made the list with Kroger leading the local contingent. The grocer is ranked 23rd on this year’s list and generated $90.4 billion in revenue in 2011.

Other Cincinnati area companies that made the list include Procter & Gamble (No. 27, $82.6 billion), Macy’s (No. 110, $26.4 billion), Ashland (No. 307, $8.4 billion), Fifth Third Bank (No. 372, $6.7 billion), Omnicare (No. 389, $6.2 billion), General Cable (No. 421, $5.9 billion) and Western and Southern Financial Group (No. 482, $5 billion).

Topping the Fortune 500 list, Exxon Mobil generated $453 billion in revenue last year.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel financial results, AK Steel financials, AK Steel Fortune 500, AK Steel Fortune 500 list, AK Steel Fortune 500 lists 2012, AK Steel West Chester, Fortune 500 list 2012, West Chester business news

Jenny Haynes, a second grade teacher at Woodland Elementary, and Tim Shaffer, assistant principal at Lakota West High School, each received the Lakota Educator of Excellence Award this April. Photo provided by ElitePhotography.com.

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.

Lakota educators honored – The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty recently honored two educators awarding each of them its Lakota Educator of Excellence Award. Jenny Haynes, a second grade teacher at Woodland Elementary, and Tim Shaffer, assistant principal at Lakota West High School, received the awards and were selected from nominations received from peers, parents and students in the community.

• Video: Lakota Educator of Excellence Jenny Haynes
• Video: Lakota Educator of Excellence Tim Shaffer

AK Steel posts $11.8 million first-quarter loss – West-Chester based AK Steel posted an $11.8 million first-quarter loss last Tuesday with lower shipments cutting into sales. The loss amounted to 11 cents per share. During the same period last year, the company had a profit of $8.7 million, or 8 cents per share. The company said that it expects to post a profit for the second quarter, but didn’t release specifics.

Butler County judge faces sexual harassment complaint – A court reporter has filed a complaint against a Butler County common pleas judge saying he retaliated against her after their 9-year extra-marital affair ended when his wife found out in December, according to The Enquirer’s Sheila McLaughlin. Jennifer Olivier said Judge Michael Sage, who has been on the bench since 1991, “abused his judicial authority” by directing his staff and others at the courthouse to treat her harshly and intimidate her, according to a complaint she filed with Court Administrator Gary Yates this April.

Jack in the Box breaks ground and names second location – A spokesperson with Jack in the Box said that it has started construction on its first Ohio location last week. Furthermore, the spokesperson also announced a second Cincinnati location for the fast food chain. Brian Luscomb of Jack in the Box said the company began construction in West Chester at 7425 Tylersville Road, which is off I-75 in an old gas station lot that is directly next to a Long John Silver’s.

Kyle Meadows thinking FSU – Lakota West offensive tackle Kyle Meadows has more than 15 offers and is leaning towards going to Florida State to continue his football career. The junior suffered an injury this fall, but has worked hard to get healthy and has been awarded with a lot of attention from college football coaches.

West Chester announces dates for nature programs – West Chester Township recently announced the dates for 2012 sessions of its Nature Basket and the WOLF programs. Each program is geared to teaching children about nature and the environment. All nature programs are offered free to the community, but class size may be limited.

Posted in: Business, Crime, Events, Fall sports, News, School events, Sports |

Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel financial results, AK Steel financials, AK Steel West Chester, brian luscomb, brian luscomb Jack in the Box, Butler County common pleas, Butler County Common Pleas Court, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Deer Shelter at Keehner Park, jack in the box, Jack in the Box Cincinnati, Jack in the Box midwest, Jack in the Box Ohio, Jack in the Box West Chester, jobs, Judge Michael Sage, Keehner Park, Keehner Park log cabin, Keehner Park owl shelter, Keehner Park West Chester, Kyle Meadows, Kyle Meadows Florida State, Kyle Meadows football recruiting, Kyle Meadows Lakota West, Lakota Educator of Excellence Award, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Michael Sage, Nature Basket, Station Road Schoolhouse, WCL Community Foundation, West Chester business news, West Chester jobs, West Chester Nature Basket program, West Chester restaurant opening, West Chester restaurants, WOLF, WOLF program

The Associated Press

West-Chester based AK Steel posted an $11.8 million first-quarter loss Tuesday with lower shipments cutting into sales.

The loss amounted to 11 cents per share. During the same period last year, the company had a profit of $8.7 million, or 8 cents per share.

Revenue fell 4.6 percent to $1.51 billion as steel shipmentsdropped 6.8 percent to 1.3 million tons. Also on Tuesday, U.S. Steel said shipments fell by 3 percent in the quarter because of weakness in Europe, where mounting government debts have stalled economic growth in many nations.

While AK’s quarterly results matched Wall Street expectations, the domestic steel sector traded lower Tuesday and AK shares slipped 2 percent, or 15 cents to $7.19.

The company said its average selling price rose 2.6 percent to $1,138 per ton, boosted by an improved mix of products, an increase in contract sales and higher prices for come products.

AK Steel Holding Corp. said market conditions improved slowly, but steadily improved during the quarter. The company added that it expects to post a profit for the second quarter, but didn’t release specifics.

Analysts polled by FactSet expect a second-quarter profit of 21 cents per share.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel financial results, AK Steel financials, AK Steel West Chester, West Chester business news

Jennifer Edwards Baker reports

A worker at AK Steel suffered non-life threatening burns to his arm in a small, early morning explosion in a rail car outside on plant property, Middletown fire officials said.

He was taken to Atrium Medical Center in Middletown. His name was not released.

“Thankfully it wasn’t worse,” said Middletown Fire Captain David Adams this morning. “It sounded worse when we were first dispatched than it actually was.”

Flames erupted in the grass on the facility’s location off Curtis Street just after 1 a.m., but employees quickly doused those before fire crews arrived, Adams said. The plant ultimately sustained no damage.

The cause was determined to possibly be moisture that got into molten material used to make steel.

Fire crews cleared the scene by 2 a.m.

AK Steel officials were unavailable comment this morning.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel explosion, AK Steel Middletown, AK Steel West Chester

The Enquirer

Shares of West Chester-based AK Steel and other steel companies rose Monday after some manufacturers announced price hikes last week, fueling expectations of improving demand.

AK Steel’s shares increased 4.8 percent on Monday to close at $8.59. U.S. Steel’s share price increased 6.4 percent to $31.64, while Steel Dynamics rose 3.1 percent to $15.49.

The steel industry should see demand growing stronger and prices rising as inventories have dwindled, UBS analyst Shneur Gershuni said in a research note Monday.

“We may see buyers blinking and prices moving up from here,” wrote Gershuni. “Imports, quite attractive six weeks ago, should decrease and buyers may be forced to restock into rising prices.”

Gershuni expects U.S. Steel’s earnings to grow faster this year with improving demand, lower costs and higher prices. He reiterated his “buy” rating on the Pittsburgh manufacturer’s shares and raised his 12-month price target to $47 from $38 per share.

UBS also raised its ratings for Nucor and Steel Dynamics Inc.

On Friday, AK Steel said earnings next quarter should benefit from improving overall business conditions and growing automotive demand.

In the current quarter ending March 31, AK Steel said it expects a net loss in the range of 11 to 15 cents a share as steel shipments decline to 1.3 million tons, down about 7 percent from the preceding quarter.

The World Steel Association said global crude steel production was a record 1.5 billion tons last year, up about 7 percent from 2010. In North America, steel production also rose nearly 7 percent to 118.9 million tons.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel financial results, AK Steel financials, AK Steel fourth quarter, AK Steel West Chester, West Chester business news

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday morning. (Stories are listed in order of date)

Lakota preschool program could be merged: During last Monday’s school board meeting, Lakota officials discussed merging its preschool program with county programs. The proposed joint venture with Butler County Educational Service Center (ESC) would save about $1.2 million of the target $9 million in savings Lakota officials have said is needed for next school year. The merger would affect 288 preschool students and would eliminate 17 classroom jobs for the 2012-2013 school year.

AK Steel executive to retire: Last Monday, West Chester based AK Steel announced that its long-time spokesman Alan H. McCoy, vice president, government and public relations, has elected to retire effective January 31. McCoy was named general manager, public relations for AK Steel in 1994. He is currently a director of the Ohio Steel Council and also serves as a trustee of Ursuline Academy.

West Chester’s IKEA activates solar energy system: The IKEA in West Chester is now powering its lights, operating its cash registers and cooking its Swedish meatballs using a solar energy system that is located on the store’s rooftop. Heather Spatz, West Chester’s IKEA store manager, officially announced the activation of the solar energy system last Tuesday. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the amount of clean electricity produced by 4,186 solar panels atop the IKEA building is equivalent to eliminating the yearly emissions of 180 passenger cars.

Road projects to affect Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Ohio 129 and U.S. 42: Last Tuesday, The Butler County Engineer’s Office announced that it is planning to improve Cincinnati-Dayton Road at the Ohio 129 interchange in Liberty Township. The project, which is slated for construction in 2014, is currently in the preliminary engineering phase with environmental studies and early design plans under way. The $2.5 million project is geared to improving traffic safety and flow in the area. Meanwhile, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced last Tuesday that culvert replacement will require closing U.S. 42 between Cox Road and Tylersville Road from Feb. 18 to March 2.

Lakota West falls to Fairfield in battle for 2nd in GMC: After handing Middletown its first conference loss Jan. 20, Lakota West hosted Fairfield last Tuesday in a basketball game between two programs tied for second place in the Greater Miami Conference. The Firebirds jumped out to an early lead, but fell behind and eventually lost 70-59. Lakota West did rebound with a win last Friday when it defeated Colerain by the score 77-71 in overtime. The Firebirds are currently in a three-way tie for third in the GMC.

West Chester cop David Busemeyer pleads guilty to felonies, quits job: A police officer pleaded guilty to two felony charges, then resigned from his job last Wednesday. David Busemeyer, who was accused of alerting a drug dealer to an undercover bust, admitted to attempted tampering with evidence and obstructing official business. In exchange for his plea in Butler County Common Pleas Court, a charge of obstructing justice was dismissed. Busemeyer also was accused of revealing the identity of a confidential informant in the case. After the plea, Busemeyer tendered his resignation from the job he had held since August 2002. He faces a maximum prison term of two and a half years, but could be granted probation at sentencing March 8.

Two killed in West Chester crash: Police found two people dead Saturday morning in a car that crashed into two parked semi tractor-trailers at a distribution warehouse at 9842 International Blvd. Police determined that the victims were traveling northbound on International Boulevard in a Honda Civic when it veered off the road, passed through a parking lot, hit two trees, encountered a berm and became airborne. When the car landed, it went under one tractor-trailer, sheering off the car’s top. The car then became wedged under a second tractor-trailer. The names of the victims have not been released.

Posted in: Board of Education, Crime, Levy news, News, Schools, Sports, Traffic, Winter Sports |

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Cincinnati Enquirer’s Mike Boyer reports:

West Chester-based AK Steel on Tuesday reported a wider loss for the fourth quarter and full year after annual non-cash pension cost adjustments.

The net loss for the three months ended Dec. 31 was $193.9 million, or $1.76 a share, for the maker of flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel compared with a loss in the year ago quarter of $98.3 million, or 89 cents a share.

The latest quarter included a non-cash, pre-tax pension corridor charge of $268.1 million, or $1.50 a share. Excluding that, AK’s adjusted net loss for the quarter was $28 million, or 26 cents a diluted share. The consensus estimate of analysts was for a loss of 39 cents a share.

Including the pension charge, AK had a fourth-quarter operating loss of $300 million. A year ago, the steelmaker reported an operating loss of $154.6 million, including a $63.7 million charge for shutting down its Ashland, Ky. coke plant.

“The economic recovery we’ve been anticipating for several years simply did not fully materialize in 2011 and we endured another round of raw material price increases,” said James L. Wainscott, chairman, president and CEO.

Because of the economic uncertainty, the company said it was deferring guidance for the current quarter until March.

Fourth-quarter sales were $1.5 billion on shipments of 1.4 million tons compared with sales of $1.4 billion on shipment of 1.36 million tons in the year ago period.

The average selling price for the fourth quarter was $1,070 a ton, about five percent higher than the year-ago price of $1,022 a ton, but down about eight percent from $1,158 a ton in the third quarter.

For the full-year, AK Steel reported a net loss of $155.6 million, or $1.41 a share, compared with a net loss of $128.9 million, or $1.17 a share, for the prior year.

The latest year includes the $268. 1 million non-cash pension charge. The 2010 results included $98 million in one-time charges.

Sales for 2011 were $6.47 billion, up eight percent from $5.97 billion in the prior year. Shipments grew to 5.70 million tons from 5.66 million tons in the prior year.

The operating loss for the full year was $201 million, or $35 a ton, largely due to the pension charge, compared with a operating loss of $134 million, or $24 a ton, in the prior year. Excluding the pension charge, AK said the operating loss for the year was $66.8 million, or $12 a ton.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel financial results, AK Steel financials, AK Steel fourth quarter, AK Steel West Chester, West Chester business news

AK Steel said Monday its long-time spokesman Alan H. McCoy, vice president, government and public relations, has elected to retire effective January 31.

James L. Wainscott, chairman, president and CEO of West Chester-based AK Steel, said. “Alan is a true professional and his leadership and ability to convey our company’s message to these key constituent groups has helped to shape AK Steel into the world-class company it is today.”

He began his steel career in 1976 in employee and community relations for the former Kansas City Works of Armco Inc. He joined Armco’s former Eastern Steel Division in Middletown, Ohio in 1987. He held several public relations positions with Armco Steel Company L.P., the successor company to the Eastern Steel Division, before being named general manager, public relations for AK Steel in 1994. He was named vice president, public affairs in 1997 and vice president, government and public Relations in 2004.

McCoy is currently a director of the Ohio Steel Council and also serves as a trustee of Ursuline Academy.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel West Chester, Alan H. McCoy, Alan McCoy, James L. Wainscott, James Wainscott, West Chester business, West Chester business news