1965 - For the
first time, more than 10 million tons of foreign steel are imported into the United
States.1966 - Bethlehem fabricates steel for Madison Square Garden,
Newport Bridge and second Delaware Memorial Bridge.
1970 - Stewart S. Cort elected chairman of Bethlehem.
1973 - Bethlehem produces 23.7 million tons of raw steel and ships
16.3 million tons of finished steel -- both records -- and reports net income of $207
million.
1974 - Lewis W. Foy is elected chairman.
1975 - Capital expenditures for the year amount to a record $674
million. Bethlehem's first continuous caster begins production at Burns Harbor.
1976 - Bethlehem shuts down its Fabricated Steel Construction
Division.
1977 - Bethlehem reduces steelmaking capacity at Lackawanna and
Johnstown.
1978 - More than
21 million tons of steel are imported.
1980 - Donald H. Trautlein is elected chairman.
1981 - Bethlehem's sales reach a record $7.3 billion.
1982 - Bethlehem reports a record loss of $1.5 billion, the first of
five years of losses as the steel industry goes through a period of unprecedented
restructuring. Bethlehem eliminates steelmaking at Lackawanna and shuts down or sells
other plants, mills, mines and shipyards. Total employment is reduced by more than half in
the next five years.
1984 - Steel
imports into the United States climb to a record 26 million tons, and Bethlehem and the
United Steelworkers Union successfully file a 201 Petition under U.S. trade laws.
1986 - Walter F. Williams is elected chairman. Bethlehem concentrates
its resources on making its steel operations competitive, restructuring its businesses and
rebuilding its financial strength. New continuous casters begin production at Sparrows
Point and Burns Harbor.
1988 - Bethlehem reports record net income of $426 million.
1989 - Bethlehem announces it will build three new hot-dip galvanizing
lines at Burns Harbor, Sparrows Point and in the southern United States. Work proceeds on
complete modernization of Sparrows Point hot-strip mill.
1990 - Bethlehem restructures its structural and rail operations.
1992 -
Curtis H. Barnette elected chairman. Steel plants established as individual business
units, responsible for production, marketing and financial performance. Bethlehem
continues restructuring, exiting the bar, rod and wire business.
1993 - New galvanizing lines begin production at Burns Harbor and
Sparrows Point. Bethlehem and USWA negotiate a six-year agreement.
1994 - Major
capital improvements include new coke oven battery and coal injection facility at Burns
Harbor and new electric furnace and head-hardening rail line at Pennsylvania Steel
Technologies.
1995 - Bethlehem Structural Products and BethForge undergo major
transition, discontinuing steelmaking operations.
1996 - To improve financial performance and stockholder value,
Bethlehem undertakes comprehensive restructuring plan involving sale or shutdown of
unprofitable businesses and improved competitiveness of core steel operations at Burns
Harbor, Sparrows Point and Pennsylvania Steel.
1997 - Bethlehem sells Bethship, Bethforge, CENTEC and coal mining
interests, and ends its production of structural shapes. Announces
$300-million investment in new cold rolling mill at Sparrows Point.
1998 - Bethlehem merges with Lukens Inc. to become premier plate producer in North America.
1999 - Bethlehem enters into additional joint ventures-Columbus Coatings Company and BethNova Tube, L.L.C.-to participate in growing steel markets at a lower entry cost.
2000 - Duane R. Dunham elected 10th Chairman of Bethlehem Steel Corporation. Redevelopment of Bethlehem plant into Bethlehem Works and Bethlehem Commerce Center was recognized by Engineering News-Record magazine as a Newsmaker of the Year.