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AISI Establishes Steel Market Development Institute

AISI has announced the establishment of the AISI Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), effective August 1, with the mission "to advance the competitive use of steel through a market-driven strategy that promotes cost effective steel based solutions." The new Institute, which replaces the AISI Market Development Committee, is being funded through a direct investment from eight of North America's leading steel producers with a strong commitment to growing steel's competitive position in the North American market. Its establishment as a business unit of AISI reflects strategic direction resulting from the AISI Visioning Project, which led to the Institute's heightened focus on a robust policy agenda, while also recognizing the importance of advancing steel as the material of choice.

The chairman of the new SMDI board will be J. James Kutka, Jr., senior vice president - Strategic Planning and Business Development, United States Steel Corporation. David C. Jeanes, formerly a senior vice president of AISI, will become President of the new Steel Market Development Institute, bringing over 30 years of steel industry research, design and marketing experience to the position.

The AISI Steel Market Development Institute, which will operate as a business unit of AISI, will be led by a board of directors with representation from each of the eight investing companies and will report to a CEO group. The current market committees will be re-named the Automotive Applications Council, Construction Market Council and the Steel Packaging Council.

The eight companies funding the new SMDI will each have a representative on its board. The members are:

  • United States Steel Corporation
 Chairman, SMDI Board
J. James Kutka, Jr. - Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning and Business Development;
  • AK Steel Corporation
 Douglas W. Gant, Vice President, Sales and Customer Service;
  • ArcelorMittal Dofasco
 Brian E. Aranha, Vice President Commercial;
  • ArcelorMittal USA
 Daniel Mull, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing;
  • Nucor Corporation
 Richard K. Blume, II, Director of Sales and Marketing;
  • Severstal North America Inc.
 Christopher J. McCarthy, Vice President, Sales and Marketing;
  • SSAB North America Inc.
 Charles Mattia, Vice President, New Business Development;
  • USS-POSCO Industries
 Craig Peterson, Vice President, Commercial

As a business unit of AISI, the Steel Market Development Institute will continue to advance new steel technologies and business practices in the marketplace. Dynamic programs being implemented under auspices of SMDI will further enhance the value to the investing companies through advanced access to market information, program developments and business opportunities. For more information, contact Nancy Gravatt .