AK Steel, a producer of flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steels, will likely idle most of its Ashland, Kentucky, US Works beginning late in July or early August 2009. The idling will affect about 750 hourly and salaried employees, and is the result of recent announcements by GM and Chrysler of significant production curtailments, along with the continuing global recession. The company said the plant is likely to remain idled at least through the balance of 2009. All steel slabs produced at the Ashland Works must be transported approximately 150mi to the company’s Middletown Works for conversion to hot-rolled coils. The Ashland Works also employs about 290 men and women at a coke plant which is currently scheduled to continue operating at a reduced level.