AISI 2006 General Meeting Focuses on Future of Steel Industry Competitiveness

Click here to see the photos of the General Meeting.

On May 7-9, AISI held its 114th General Meeting in Boca Raton, Fla. in conjunction with the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI). The meeting provided the opportunity for steel producers and service centers to strengthen relationships, share ideas and work together to improve the competitiveness of North American manufacturing. Its theme, "Focus on Competition," was carried throughout discussions of what opportunities the future holds for North American manufacturers and how we can work together to improve the competitiveness of our industry.

Robin Niblett, Center for Strategic and International Studies, kicked things off at the first joint session with a provocative look at the driving forces of change in their "Seven Revolutions Initiative." Next, Steven Anderson, Credit Suisse, moderated North American steel industry CEOs in a lively discussion on the Shape of the Global Steel Industry: 2010. Dan DiMicco, Nucor Corporation, Michael Hoffman, Macsteel Service Centers USA, Bill Jones, O'Neal Steel, Lou Schorsch, Mittal Steel USA, Bud Siegel, Russel Metals Inc., John Surma, U.S. Steel Corporation, and Dave Sutherland, IPSCO Inc., discussed major trends shaping the future of the global steel industry and how producers and service centers can work together with their customers on manufacturing competitiveness issues in North America.

Attendees gathered for lunch to hear Charlie Cook, political analyst for The National Journal and editor and publisher of The Cook Political Report, deliver timely remarks on a Political Update 2006 and Beyond.

AISI Chairman Lou Schorsch, president and CEO of Mittal Steel USA, spoke to attendees on Tuesday morning before the awards ceremony, on the meeting's theme, "Focus on Competition." He commented on AISI's continuing mission to keep steel competitive and the material of choice, as well as keeping steel trade fair and free.

Following his remarks, Schorsch recognized several individuals for their outstanding leadership. John Surma, chairman and CEO, United States Steel Corporation, received the distinguished Gary Memorial Medal, awarded by the Institute for his remarkable lifelong contributions to the North American steel industry (see related article in this issue).

The Market Development Industry Leadership Award was given out for the first time to Paul Geck, senior staff technical specialist at Ford Motor Company; and to Theodorus "Dick" Bus, president of ATAS International Inc., for their significant contributions in advancing the competitive use of steel in the marketplace as a direct result of AISI Market Development initiatives in the automotive, construction and container markets (see related article in this issue).

The Institute Medal was awarded to United States Steel Corporation's Mark Atkinson and Hugh Crosun, as well as Purdue University Calumet's David Roldan and Chenn Zhou for their paper "Investigation of Tuyere Nose Failures At U.S. Steel Great Lakes Works B2 Blast Furnace." Guy Ausmus of Mittal Steel USA was recognized for his role as Chairman of the Energy Committee, as was Glenn Kidd of United States Steel Corporation for his role as Chairman of the Commercial Research Committee. Several additional retiring chairmen were unable to attend, including: Andrew Black, The Timken Company, Manufacturing Committee on Rod and Bar Mills; Tom Elich, United States Steel Corporation-Gary Works, Manufacturing Committee on Metallic Coated Sheet Practices; Raymond Fryan, The Timken Company, Committee on Manufacturing Technology; Javier Hernandez Ceron, APM, S.A. de C.V. (IMSA ACERO), Manufacturing Committee on Hot Strip Mills; Dan Kruse, Mittal Steel USA, Manufacturing Committee on Metallurgy, Steelmaking and Casting; Frederick Maddalena, United States Steel Corporation-Clairton Works, Manufacturing Committee on Coke Ovens and By Products Subcommittee; Dean Macnamara, Dofasco Inc., Manufacturing Committee on Ironmaking; Nagoor "Nick" Prabhu, Mittal Steel USA, Manufacturing Committee on Refractories; David Otte, IPSCO Inc., Manufacturing Committee on Packaging, Shipping and Transportation Methods; Julie Renner, USS-POSCO Industries, Steel Packaging Council; and Donald Stanich, United States Steel Corporation-Gary Works, Manufacturing Committee on Strand Casting.

Following Schorsch's speech, attendees heard from Outlook for Energy panelists, including Jim Falsettti, president, Process Energy Solutions, Paul Holtberg, director, Demand and Integration, Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, and Scott Peterson, vice president of communications, Nuclear Energy Institute. Moderated by Guy Ausmus, manager of Energy Procurement, Mittal Steel USA, the session offered panelists' perspectives on critical energy issues for steel industry and domestic manufacturers.

The meeting concluded with featured speaker Tony Blankley, editorial page editor, The Washington Times, who delivered remarks based on his newly-released book The West's Last Chance: Will We Win the Clash of Civilizations?

AISI Associate Members hosted a memorable reception in the Cloister Garden of the Boca Raton Resort & Club. It provided members the opportunity to enjoy good food and company in a lovely atmosphere near the intercoastal waterway. For more information, contact Katie Gallagher.