Final answer:
A steel plant owner would hesitate to purchase equipment unless it could produce large quantities of steel very cost-effectively to maintain profitability.
Step-by-step explanation:
A steel plant owner would hesitate to purchase equipment unless it could produce large quantities of steel very cost-effectively because this is essential for maintaining profitability in the steel industry. Steel production requires significant investment in equipment, raw materials, and labor. Therefore, for the steel plant to be financially viable, it needs to produce a large volume of steel at low costs to generate sufficient revenue and cover its expenses.