Plant idlings, employee furloughs and a production downturn, hit the industry hard.   At the same time, mega consolidations and acquisitions hold promise to lead the iron and steel industries into a new future.   Major industry consolidation occurred some 20 years ago. However, even more consolidation took place this year. Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. led the way.   ⢠Cliffs completed two major consolidations which for the first time moved the 173-year-old company into steelmaking.   ⢠United States Steel Corp. expanded into electric arc furnace steelm...