Tenaris Lays Off 300 Employees At Blytheville Mill

Officials with a steel pipe company in Mississippi County announced layoffs of nearly 30% of its workforce on Friday (Jan. 9).

Houston-based Tenaris announced it was reducing production at three of its facilities in the United States including the one in Blytheville.

The company is laying off nearly 500 employees overall, with nearly 300 of those in working in Blytheville, company spokesman Carolina Mendoza said, noting the Blytheville mill has about 1,000 employees.

The announcement brought shock to one county official.

“Hopefully, it is temporary,” Mississippi County Judge Randy Carney said.

Mendoza said the layoffs would also impact two mills in the Houston, Texas area.

Mendoza said the oil market, which has seen prices under $50 for a barrel of oil, has contributed in part, to the layoffs.

“The energy industry’s present circumstances have driven Tenaris to make these reductions. Despite the positive OCTG (oil country tubular goods) trade case ruling, the U.S. continues to see record levels of imports of OCTG from South Korea. This has been aggravated further as oil prices have fallen over a short period of time, reaching a five-year low,” Mendoza said. “The company is also adjusting the production of its facilities while positioning the company for sustainable and long-term growth in the domestic market – continuing with its investment plans, training and development of employees and commitment to the local communities.”

The layoffs started Friday and there was no timetable mentioned as to when employees may return.

While the announcement Friday was not a good one, Carney said he believes the county is set for a very good year.

“With Big River Steel, the dirt work is coming along,” Carney said. “In the next 12 to 18 months, it will be big. We will probably have more jobs than people (to fill them). And that’s a good thing.”