Though cutbacks and layoffs are happening nationwide, the economic slump is actually boosting one industry: steel.

A new report announced thousands of cuts globally at ArcelorMittal -- but not at its Weirton plant.

The reason? People are buying more canned goods.

“When the economy goes bad, normally people eat more out of cans instead of going to restaurants and people consume more beverages,” said Mark Glyptis, president of the United Steel Workers Local 2911.

Glyptis said what people do to save money during hard financial times is helping ArcelorMittal Weirton -- which produces tin -- stay afloat.

He said that dynamic does not go company-wide

“Things in Weirton … are pretty good. If you look at the 14 plants that make up ArcelorMittal, there are thousands of layoffs scheduled,” he said.

Glyptis said the company plans to cut about 9,000 jobs globally, or 3 percent of its total workforce.

Because Weirton makes tin, that doesn’t affect local workers. In fact, workers who had been laid off have actually been called back to the job in Weirton.

But the increase in business is not reason to celebrate.

“We all feel like we’re one family and it’s sad. There is some significant pain in the steel industry right now,” Glyptis said. “We’ve been through a huge amount of pain, but we’re expecting to get through this crisis OK.”

He said the company has a business plan for 2009 as well as a game plan for the next decade.