NEW YORK — Gallatin Steel Co. has shut down its cut-to-length line in Ghent, Ky., and will use it as an inspection line for its flat-rolled products, a company spokeswoman confirmed Monday.

The Ghent-based flat-rolled steel producer wound down its cut-to-length operations at the end of November, she said.

"It’s just looking for better ways to serve our customers. The new inspection line is the best way to do that," she said, adding that the company has transferred the seven affected employees to other areas of its operations.

Gallatin, a joint venture between ArcelorMittal USA Inc. and Gerdau Long Steel North America, has an annual capacity of 1.4 million tons of hot bands, according to the company’s website.