THE HOT SHEET
Steel being processed
environment
U.S. Steel, Nucor and SDI commit to reducing carbon footprint
Three of North America’s largest steelmakers each have outlined plans to become greener companies by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and adopting renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels.

Nucor Corp., for example, plans to lower the GHG emissions intensity of its steel mills to 77 percent less than today’s global average. Nucor is actively supporting the development of new renewable energy sources. Last year, Nucor was the seventh largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in the United States. The company will implement new energy efficiency projects, pursue carbon capture and storage, and explore ways to further reduce the CO2 emissions associated with its raw materials mix.

Nucor’s plate mill in Brandenburg, Kentucky, will be one of only a few mills in the world capable of supplying steel for offshore wind towers and foundations. Its proposed Kentucky tube mill will supply galvanized solar torque tube to solar energy producers.

nucor supports the development of renewable energy sources.

Meanwhile, Steel Dynamics Inc. seeks to become carbon neutral by 2050 for its electric arc furnace operations. The company will increase the use of renewable electrical energy for its EAF mills to 10 percent by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030.

SDI will work to identify and implement emission reduction projects; improve energy management to reduce emissions and enhance operational efficiency; increase its use of renewable energy, including partnering with local utilities; research and develop innovative technologies.

U.S. Steel Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding with Equinor US Holdings Inc., under which the companies will study the potential for carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen development in the Tri-State region of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, particularly encompassing the Monongahela Valley.

The focus of the research partnership is to assess the technological and commercial possibilities for hydrogen and CCS. The two parties plan to explore and demonstrate the potential opportunities for natural gas when coupled with CCS to achieve decarbonization goals.

M&A: Wieland acquires copper distributor
 M&A
Wieland acquires copper distributor

Wieland Group, Germany, has acquired the assets of The Miller Co., Meriden, Connecticut, which distributes copper-based alloy strip to U.S.-based customers. The acquisition will broaden the customer base served by Wieland’s global distribution network, which consists of 75-plus facilities and 8,000 employees. The deal further strengthens Wieland’s position within North America.

ENVIRONMENT
Algoma to receive government support to phase out coal

Algoma Steel Inc. will receive up to $420 million to retrofit its operations and phase out coal-fired steelmaking processes at its Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, complex. The funding from the Canadian government will enable Algoma to install equipment to support its transition from blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces. Using EAF technology is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 3 million metric tons per year by 2030, helping Canada to achieve its climate goals.

PEOPLE
Pennsylvania Steel names executives

Pennsylvania Steel Co. Inc., Bensalem, Pennsylvania, appointed Michael Loveland as vice president and Sean Wenhold as general manager of the North Carolina and Virginia divisions. Loveland has been with Pennsylvania Steel since 2007. Wenhold, who joined the company in 2010, was serving as regional sales manager covering Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

Alro Steel: Barry Glick
PEOPLE
 OBITUARY: Alro Steel’s Barry Glick

Barry Glick, vice chairman of Alro Steel, Jackson, Michigan, died June 21 in Boca Raton, Florida. His uncle Al Glick and father Robert Glick founded Alro Steel in 1948. Barry Glick joined Alro in 1977 and was vice chairman for 27 years. Al Glick, chairman and CEO, told employees that his nephew meant “so much to our family and company, and he will be truly missed. Barry exemplified one of my favorite sayings: It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you don’t care who gets the credit.”

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. was named GM Supplier of the Year by General Motors Co.
RECOGNITION
GM picks Cleveland-Cliffs as top supplier

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. was named GM Supplier of the Year by General Motors Co., Detroit, and it’s the fourth consecutive year Cleveland-Cliffs/AK Steel has earned this honor. GM recognized its best suppliers from 16 countries for their performance during 2020. The annual awards highlight global suppliers that exceed GM’s performance criteria in purchasing, manufacturing services, customer care and after-sales, and logistics.

More news at modernmetals.com
LABOR
Strike ends at ATI with new contract

Employees belonging to the United Steelworkers union ratified a new four-year labor contract with Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI), ending a strike that began March 30. Workers began returning to active employment July 19, and production will ramp up in the weeks ahead. The new agreement covers about 1,300 represented employees and expires in February 2025. “This contract rewards our employees for the important contributions they make to ATI’s overall success, with wage increases and affordable health care,” says Kim Fields, executive vice president. “It [also] secures the controls we need to reduce our exposure to health care cost inflation.”

EXPANSION
Coil equipment builder will increase capacity
The Bradbury Co. Inc. , Moundridge, Kansas, is expanding its test and assembly facility by 40 percent to increase manufacturing capacity

The Bradbury Co. Inc., Moundridge, Kansas, is expanding its test and assembly facility by 40 percent to increase manufacturing capacity and provide additional space for testing the custom-built production lines before shipping to customers’ facilities. The addition, which will extend 10 feet higher than the existing facility, will be engineered to house 30-ton cranes. The multi-phase expansion process should be complete by February 2022. In addition to increasing manufacturing space, Bradbury is hiring for numerous careers at the Moundridge, Kansas, headquarters.

 M&A: European company buys U.S. recycler
 M&A
European company buys U.S. recycler

Luxembourg-based Befesa S.A. will acquire 100 percent of the recycling assets of American Zinc Recycling LLC, Moon Township, Pennsylvania, for $450 million. American Zinc Recycling provides environmental services to the U.S. steel industry. Befesa will also invest $10 million for a minority stake in AZR’s downstream refining operation—American Zinc Products in Rutherford County, North Carolina—forming a joint venture with the current ownership.

 M&A
Canadian OCTG and line pipe assets combined

Russel Metals Inc. has closed its transaction with Marubeni-Itochu Tubulars America Inc., under which Russel Metals and MITI have combined their respective Canadian OCTG/line pipe businesses. Russel Metals operated its OCTG/line pipe business through its Triumph Tubular & Supply Ltd. subsidiary, while MITI operated its OCTG/line pipe business through Hallmark Tubulars Ltd. Combined, Triumph and Hallmark will operate under a newly incorporated entity: TriMark Tubulars Ltd.

Ecommerce: Leeco Steel debuts sales platform
ECOMMERCE
Leeco Steel debuts sales platform
Leeco Steel has launched Leeco Pro, an e-commerce website (leecopro.com) that allows customers to browse and purchase 12 core grades of steel plate across 32 thicknesses and in pattern sizes. The platform will offer a variety of digital features as well.
EXPANSION
Long products manufacturer to expand in Texas

Optimus Steel LLC says it will establish a new rebar line and coil handling facility in Orange County, Texas. A subsidiary of Aceros Turia Inc., Optimus Steel produces wire rods, coiled rebar and billets. The $40 million project will create 55 new jobs.

Direct Metals  an international steel service center with locations in Kennesaw, Georgia, and Waukegan, Illinois
ANNIVERSARY
Direct Metals reaches 25th year

Direct Metals, an international steel service center with locations in Kennesaw, Georgia, and Waukegan, Illinois, is celebrating 25 years in business. Family owned and operated since 1996 by a group of metal experts with over 100 years of experience, the company carries one of the largest metal and fiberglass inventories in the nation and ships products worldwide.

ASSOCIATIONS
NASA adds new member

Priefert Manufacturing Co. Inc. has joined the North American Steel Alliance. Founded in 1964, Priefert manufactures farm, ranch and rodeo equipment from steel components. A sister company, Priefert Steel Sales, operates steel processing centers in Fort Worth, Texas, and Benton, Arkansas.

Combilift builds 60,000 machines
MILESTONE
Combilift builds 60,000 machines

Combilift recently marked a milestone when its 60,000th unit came off the production lines in Monaghan, Ireland. The customer taking delivery of a new Combi-CB3000 forklift is Metroll, an Australian manufacturer and distributor of steel building products. Metroll Group has a fleet of 13 Combilift machines and has placed orders on 10 more units.

Bob Berls headshot
Kelan Thompson headshot
PEOPLE
Regional managers selected at Leeco

Leeco Steel, Lisle, Illinois, promoted Bob Berls to regional sales manager for Canada and Kelan Thompson to regional sales manager for the Southeast United States. Berls joined Leeco in 2012 as a sales representative based in Wisconsin, and was promoted to sales manager, Canada, in 2018. Thompson joined Leeco in 2008, also in Wisconsin, and was promoted to national account manager in 2016. He has relocated to the Chattanooga sales office.

TimkenSteel and United Steelworkers union were to begin negotiations Aug. 9 regarding the current labor agreement that is set to expire Sept. 27
LABOR
Talks to begin on new contract

TimkenSteel and the United Steelworkers union were to begin negotiations Aug. 9 regarding the current labor agreement that is set to expire Sept. 27. The existing contract covers about 1,180 bargaining unit employees at the company’s Canton, Ohio, operations. “Our goal is to reach a fair, equitable agreement that supports the company’s vision and provides job security for our employees,” says Mike Williams, president and CEO. “We hope to reach a timely agreement as our industry and customers endure rapidly changing market dynamics.”