AISI Annual Report Captures North American Steel Industry's Competitive Spirit, Perseverance and Strategic Drive in Succeeding Globally

AISI released its 2006 Annual Report, "Steel—In Front of the Curve—Doing it Right," at its February Board of Directors Meeting, held in Washington, D.C.

"The Annual Report reminds stakeholders and key opinion leaders what it has meant for the North American steel industry to be a world-class competitor," Andrew G. Sharkey, III, president and CEO of AISI said. "The North American steel industry is regarded as a strategic industry, one that promotes competitiveness and productivity on a level playing field—where there truly is an equal opportunity to compete."

"Our industry is the backbone of American manufacturing—and makes many of the products vital to our nation's military and homeland security," said Sharkey. "Through disciplined investment, continuous development and adoption of new technologies and a commitment to sustainability this industry has proven itself as a top competitor on the global playing field. It is the vanguard of manufacturing—essential to the automotive, construction and defense industries."

"With the industry going into its fourth year of strong performance, we have a compelling story to tell, but one that is not well understood by political decision makers and opinion leaders," Lou Schorsch, AISI chairman and chief executive, flat products Americas, Arcelor Mittal, and Andy Sharkey noted in their Message to stakeholders. The 2006 Annual Report highlights both the industry and Institute accomplishments and initiatives, including The New Steel Campaign, which was launched in May 2006 to align industry perceptions of key decision makers with the new, progressive North American steel industry. The report also details out aspects of the Institute's public policy agenda to promote competitive issues of common concern to U.S. manufacturers, on keeping strong on trade issues and on its progressive environmental priorities.

One "takeaway" from the report is that AISI and the North American steel industry operate "in front of the curve" through initiatives focused on meeting the needs of future generations, including efforts in research and development, building the workforce of the future, and in working in partnerships to provide steel-based solutions to society's changing demands. The report's sub-theme is focused on the industry's record of "doing it right" on several fronts, including in its leadership role in environmental stewardship through the Asia Pacific Partnership and other initiatives, development of new, breakthrough technologies that will improve product and process performance while reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, and its ongoing investment in growing the markets for steel.

For more information or to obtain copy of the AISI 2006 Annual Report, please contact AISI at 202.452.7115. Visit the AISI Web site at www.steel.org.