We study productivity differences in vertically-integrated Chinese steel facilities using a unique data set that provides equipment-level information on material inputs  and output in physical units and equipment size for each of the three main stages inthe steel value chain, i.e., sintering, pig-iron making, and steel making. We find thatprivate vertically-integrated facilities are more productive than provincial state-owned(SOEs) facilities, followed by central SOEs. This ranking lines up with our productivity estimates in the two downstream production stages, but central SOEs outperformin sintering, most likely because of their superior access to higher quality raw materials. The productivity differential favoring private facilities declines with their size,turning negative for facilities larger than the median. These patterns are linked withequipment-level TFP in private firms as size expands, and the internal configuration ofvertically-integrated facilities, which reflect the greater constraints facing private firms.Increasing returns to scale at the stage and facility level partially offset these costs andrationalize firms’ choice on larger vertically-integrated facilities.