On Manufacturing and Technology Front

Life Cycles Indicator Project Begins
AISI Manufacturing and Technology (M&T) recently announced that the Life Cycles Indicators (LCI) project has formally begun. Key to the project's start was the delivery of a "web-based data-inputting tool," which is now in place. The LCI project is a scientifically rigorous process for gathering environmental data on 21 steel projects, including cold rolled coil, hot dipped galvanized steel, coated products, plate, and structurals. This information is needed by an ever-increasing number of our customers, including Ford Motor Company and Proctor & Gamble, who need it to create an "environmental footprint" for their own products. Since this is an international effort, North American steelmakers will be able to document their superior environmental performance relative to the rest of the world. Nonparticipating companies that would like to know more about this project should contact Bill Obenchain.

Operating Report Systems Easier to Maintain Online
M&T's web-based operating report systems is undergoing a pad-up rebuild. The new system will provide a single point log-in at www.steel.org, better facilitate data entry and automatically generate operating and the benchmarking reports. Services will be expanded to duplicate those offered the ironmakers. At present no changes to data we are collecting is anticipated. However, the new system will make it easy to add, delete, or modify parameters in the future. A beta site for the Hot Strip Mill Operating Report is currently being tested. Send your thoughts on how the new system should look to Bill Obenchain.