Sweden's SSAB says cutting strip product output

STOCKHOLM, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Swedish specialty steel maker SSAB (SSABa.ST: Quote, Profile, Research) has cut output at a top strip product site in Sweden and is considering other cuts as it grapples with a downturn in demand, a company official said on Monday.

SSAB information director Helena Stalnert said the firm had cut production at its Borlange plant, in central Sweden, as customers appeared to be running down inventories before making new orders. She declined to specify the size of the cut.

The statement came as markets speculated that a drop in output was likely and it confirmed comments from a union official, who told Reuters that SSAB had told the union it was reducing production at Borlange.

Asked if demand in the fourth quarter was weaker than previously expected, Stalnert said: "Yes, you could say that. It's clear -- you can see that from others, not only from SSAB. It's a strong downturn."

"We see a clear downturn in demand and we're adjusting production (at Borlange) to a lower level for the time being. How long that will be, we cannot say," she said. "We're considerng doing the same at other locations."

(Reporting by Johan Ahlander)