Cleveland-Cliffs Completes Acquisition of Stelco

Rhea-AI Summary

Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE: CLF) has completed its acquisition of Stelco Holdings, strengthening its position as North America's largest flat-rolled steel producer. The acquisition expands Cliffs' geographical presence in Canada and diversifies its end-markets. Stelco will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cliffs while maintaining its name and Canadian legacy. CEO Lourenco Goncalves emphasized the acquisition's role in advancing integrated steelmaking and supporting union jobs in North America, highlighting benefits including customer base diversification and cost structure improvements.

Positive

• Strengthens position as largest flat-rolled steel producer in North America
• Expands geographical presence into Canadian market
• Diversifies customer base
• Expected to lower cost structure

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

This strategic acquisition significantly strengthens Cleveland-Cliffs' market position in North American steel production. The deal expands their geographical footprint into Canada and diversifies their customer base, potentially reducing market risk exposure. Stelco's integration should drive operational synergies and cost efficiencies through economies of scale.

The transaction's timing is particularly strategic given the current focus on reshoring manufacturing and infrastructure development in North America. The combined entity will benefit from increased bargaining power with suppliers and customers, while the preservation of Stelco's brand name and legacy suggests a thoughtful approach to post-merger integration.

Key benefits include enhanced production capacity, improved market access in Canada and potential cost savings through operational optimization. However, investors should monitor integration costs and potential regulatory scrutiny in both markets.

Market Research Analyst

This acquisition positions Cleveland-Cliffs advantageously in the North American steel market amid growing demand for domestic steel production. The steel industry is experiencing a structural shift with increased focus on regional supply chains and infrastructure spending. Stelco's Canadian operations provide CLF with valuable market access and potential tariff advantages under USMCA.

The deal aligns with broader industry consolidation trends and strengthens CLF's competitive position against both domestic and international rivals. The emphasis on maintaining union jobs and governmental relations in Canada indicates strong stakeholder management, which is important for long-term operational success in the region.

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE: CLF) (“Cliffs”) today announced that it has successfully completed its acquisition of Stelco Holdings Inc. (“Stelco”). The addition of Stelco enhances Cliffs’ position as the largest flat-rolled steel producer in North America, diversifies Cliffs’ end-markets and expands its geographical presence in Canada. Stelco will continue operations as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cliffs, preserving the name and iconic Canadian legacy of the business.

Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO of Cliffs, stated: “Today marks a transformative step forward for Cleveland-Cliffs. By bringing Stelco into the Cliffs family, we are building on our commitment to integrated steelmaking and good paying union jobs in North America. This acquisition allows us to further diversify our customer base and lower our cost structure. We are excited about the opportunities this acquisition brings and appreciate the warm welcome we have received from all government officials in Canada. We take our permission to operate very seriously and aim to continue the Stelco legacy with dedication and purpose.”

Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan and Moelis & Company LLC acted as financial advisors and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP served as legal counsel to Cliffs.

About Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

Cleveland-Cliffs is a leading North America-based steel producer with focus on value-added sheet products, particularly for the automotive industry. The Company is vertically integrated from the mining of iron ore, production of pellets and direct reduced iron, and processing of ferrous scrap through primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland-Cliffs employs approximately 30,000 people across its operations in the United States and Canada.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements other than historical facts, including, without limitation, statements regarding our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, our businesses or the transaction with Stelco, are forward-looking statements. We caution investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements are the following: continued volatility of steel, iron ore and scrap metal market prices, which directly and indirectly impact the prices of the products that we sell to our customers; uncertainties associated with the highly competitive and cyclical steel industry and our reliance on the demand for steel from the automotive industry; potential weaknesses and uncertainties in global economic conditions, excess global steelmaking capacity, oversupply of iron ore, prevalence of steel imports and reduced market demand; severe financial hardship, bankruptcy, temporary or permanent shutdowns or operational challenges of one or more of our major customers, key suppliers or contractors, which, among other adverse effects, could disrupt our operations or lead to reduced demand for our products, increased difficulty collecting receivables, and customers and/or suppliers asserting force majeure or other reasons for not performing their contractual obligations to us; risks related to U.S. government actions with respect to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (as amended by the Trade Act of 1974), the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and/or other trade agreements, tariffs, treaties or policies, as well as the uncertainty of obtaining and maintaining effective antidumping and countervailing duty orders to counteract the harmful effects of unfairly traded imports; impacts of existing and increasing governmental regulation, including potential environmental regulations relating to climate change and carbon emissions, and related costs and liabilities, including failure to receive or maintain required operating and environmental permits, approvals, modifications or other authorizations of, or from, any governmental or regulatory authority and costs related to implementing improvements to ensure compliance with regulatory changes, including potential financial assurance requirements, and reclamation and remediation obligations; potential impacts to the environment or exposure to hazardous substances resulting from our operations; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity, our level of indebtedness and the availability of capital could limit our financial flexibility and cash flow necessary to fund working capital, planned capital expenditures, acquisitions, and other general corporate purposes or ongoing needs of our business, or to repurchase our common shares; our ability to reduce our indebtedness or return capital to shareholders within the currently expected timeframes or at all; adverse changes in credit ratings, interest rates, foreign currency rates and tax laws; the outcome of, and costs incurred in connection with, lawsuits, claims, arbitrations or governmental proceedings relating to commercial and business disputes, antitrust claims, environmental matters, government investigations, occupational or personal injury claims, property-related matters, labor and employment matters, or suits involving legacy operations and other matters; supply chain disruptions or changes in the cost, quality or availability of energy sources, including electricity, natural gas and diesel fuel, critical raw materials and supplies, including iron ore, industrial gases, graphite electrodes, scrap metal, chrome, zinc, other alloys, coke and metallurgical coal, and critical manufacturing equipment and spare parts; problems or disruptions associated with transporting products to our customers, moving manufacturing inputs or products internally among our facilities, or suppliers transporting raw materials to us; the risk that the cost or time to implement a strategic or sustaining capital project may prove to be greater than originally anticipated; our ability to consummate any public or private acquisition transactions and to realize any or all of the anticipated benefits or estimated future synergies, as well as to successfully integrate any acquired businesses into our existing businesses; uncertainties associated with natural or human-caused disasters, adverse weather conditions, unanticipated geological conditions, critical equipment failures, infectious disease outbreaks, tailings dam failures and other unexpected events; cybersecurity incidents relating to, disruptions in, or failures of, information technology systems that are managed by us or third parties that host or have access to our data or systems, including the loss, theft or corruption of sensitive or essential business or personal information and the inability to access or control systems; liabilities and costs arising in connection with any business decisions to temporarily or indefinitely idle or permanently close an operating facility or mine, which could adversely impact the carrying value of associated assets and give rise to impairment charges or closure and reclamation obligations, as well as uncertainties associated with restarting any previously idled operating facility or mine; our level of self-insurance and our ability to obtain sufficient third-party insurance to adequately cover potential adverse events and business risks; uncertainties associated with our ability to meet customers' and suppliers' decarbonization goals and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with our own announced targets; challenges to maintaining our social license to operate with our stakeholders, including the impacts of our operations on local communities, reputational impacts of operating in a carbon-intensive industry that produces greenhouse gas emissions, and our ability to foster a consistent operational and safety track record; our actual economic mineral reserves or reductions in current mineral reserve estimates, and any title defect or loss of any lease, license, easement or other possessory interest for any mining property; our ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations with unions and employees; unanticipated or higher costs associated with pension and other post-employment benefit obligations resulting from changes in the value of plan assets or contribution increases required for unfunded obligations; uncertain availability or cost of skilled workers to fill critical operational positions and potential labor shortages caused by experienced employee attrition or otherwise, as well as our ability to attract, hire, develop and retain key personnel; the amount and timing of any repurchases of our common shares; potential significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting; the risk that the transaction with Stelco may be less accretive than expected, or may be dilutive, to Cliffs’ earnings per share, which may negatively affect the market price of Cliffs’ common shares; the risk that adverse reactions or changes to business or regulatory relationships may result from the completion of the transaction; the risk of shareholder litigation relating to the transaction that could be instituted against Stelco, Cliffs or their respective directors and officers; the risk that the financing transactions undertaken in connection with the transaction may have a negative impact on the combined company’s credit profile, financial condition or financial flexibility; the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of Stelco are not realized to the same extent as projected and that the integration of the acquired business into our existing business, including uncertainties associated with maintaining relationships with customers, vendors and employees, is not as successful as expected; the risk that future synergies from the transaction may not be realized or may take longer than expected to achieve; the possibility that the business and management strategies currently in place or implemented in the future for the maintenance, expansion and growth of the combined company’s operations may not be as successful as anticipated; the risk associated with the retention and hiring of key personnel, including those of Stelco; the risk that the completion of the transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Cliffs' common shares; and the risk of any unforeseen liabilities and future capital expenditures related to the transaction.

For additional factors affecting the business of Cliffs, refer to Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024, and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Patricia Persico

Senior Director, Corporate Communications

(216) 694-5316

INVESTOR CONTACT:

James Kerr

Director, Investor Relations

(216) 694-7719

Source: Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

FAQ

What company did Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) acquire in its latest acquisition?

Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) acquired Stelco Holdings, a Canadian steel company.

Will Stelco maintain its brand name after Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) acquisition?

Yes, Stelco will continue operations as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cleveland-Cliffs while preserving its name and Canadian legacy.

What are the main benefits of Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) acquiring Stelco?

The acquisition strengthens CLF's position as North America's largest flat-rolled steel producer, expands its geographical presence in Canada, diversifies its customer base, and is expected to lower cost structure.

Who advised Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) on the Stelco acquisition?

Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan and Moelis & Company acted as financial advisors, while Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP served as legal counsel.