Nippon Steel Corporation announced that it will take direct ownership of U.S. Steel Košice, s.r.o. (USSK), a Slovakia-based steelmaker that has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel. Under the new structure, USSK will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Nippon Steel.
USSK, which began operations in 1965, supplies flat steel products for the automotive, electrical, packaging, energy and construction industries, primarily across Central and Eastern Europe.
Nippon Steel said it has worked to strengthen USSK’s competitiveness since acquiring U.S. Steel in 2025 through collaboration on technology, human resources, sales and procurement. The company cited USSK’s strategic location, diverse product portfolio, skilled workforce and production facilities as key assets in its European operations.
“I would like to express my sincere respect for USSK’s 60-year history of outstanding operations and development, as well as its strong business performance under U.S. Steel since 2000,” Takahiro Mori, representative director and vice chairman of Nippon Steel and chairman of the board of directors of U.S. Steel, said in a statement.
“Going forward, Nippon Steel will further deploy cutting-edge technology and management resources to USSK to enhance its business foundation, while also advancing mid- to long-term investments, including decarbonization initiatives,” Mori added. “Through these efforts, we will continue to contribute to European industry and our customers.”
Nippon Steel said the move will position USSK as a core hub for its European operations and support efforts to improve profitability and accelerate growth across the region.
The ownership transition is scheduled to take effect on Oct. 1, 2026. On the same date, the company will be renamed Nippon Steel Slovakia s.r.o.