Century Aluminum plant in South Carolina hiring workers again after tariffs on imported aluminium

Century Aluminum plant in Goose Creek, South Carolina has resumed hiring after President Trump imposed tariffs on foreign aluminium imports, though it is operating at 50% capacity. Century president and CEO Mike Bless is of the view that the tariffs are having their intended effect on domestic industry.

Century aluminium reported a 21 per cent increase in sales for the second quarter. Full-year production is expected to be up more than 60 per cent over 2017. However, they will continue operating at 50% capacity till next year.

Century is hiring staff despite the ongoing dispute with the state-owned utility Santee Cooper over electricity cost. Bless points out electricity accounts for 40 per cent of aluminium’s cost of production. 

The laid off 300 of its 600 employees in 2016. Bless says that despite Santee Cooper's higher rates, Century requires it to buy one-fourth of its power from the Moncks Corner utility. Santee Cooper has said it cannot rework its agreement with Century without forcing other customers to subsidize the smelter.

"If we had a level playing field, we could outrun every smelter across the country," said Marvin Dickerson, Century's human resources manager at the Goose Creek plant.