Recollections
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.