McDONALD -- After four years of losing money, McDonald Steel Corp. said it returned to profitability in 2005 with earnings of $830,000.

McDONALD -- After four years of losing money, McDonald Steel Corp. said it returned to profitability in 2005 with earnings of $830,000.
The producer of steel shapes shipped 25,000 tons and posted sales of $24 million.
Structural changes in recent years have helped the company become profitable, said Thomas Kantor, company president.
McDonald Steel now uses its 14-inch mill as its main producer, and its 8-inch mill is used only on certain niche products that are profitable. The 8-inch mill had declined in productivity, and the company decided against renovating it because the market had shifted away from its products, he said.
Instead, the company created one team of employees to operate both mills. In the past, one team was trained for each mill.
The next big step for McDonald Steel is replacing two 1926 reheat furnaces. The $6.5 million project is expected to be completed in the third quarter. Officials expect the project to cut per-ton production costs between $40 and $50.
McDonald Steel's products are used in bridge decks, wheel rims, railroad car brake systems and a variety of other uses.
EMPLOYEES: 90.