Steel news of the week - Americas

Steel news of the week - Americas

Nucor mill named Plant of the Year Nucor Corporation has received the Plant of the Year Award from Plant Services magazine. The magazine calls Nucor's Darlington, South Carolina plant, “the embodiment of what's right in manufacturing.” Every year, Plant Services honors a successful manufacturing facility, and it chose to honor the Nucor facility this year to recognize its superb management and innovative technology, including asset-managing software from South Carolina-based Datastream Systems Inc.. Datastream CEO Larry Blackwell said, “This award recognizes them for knowing what it takes to stay competitive in today's global economy. We have been proud to serve Nucor as a customer for over 10 years, and we offer our congratulations.” AK Steel elects new chairman AK Steel has elected president and CEO James Wainscott as its new chairman of the board of directors, effective January 1, 2006. "Our board has the utmost confidence in Jim's strategic leadership and he has our complete support," said current chairman Robert Jenkins. "Jim has directed the start of a significant turnaround of AK Steel, and he is intently focused on the remaining critical components to achieve sustained profitability." Mr. Wainscott has served as president and CEO since September 2003, and will retain these positions. Steel roof saves the day While Wellington, Florida was battered by Hurricane Wilma's 125 mph winds last month, Wellington resident Victoria McCullough felt safe and sound inside her home. Ms. McCullough's home and barn have stone-coated Gerard steel panel roof system, which she had installed in 2001. According to Ms. McCullough, both of her next-door neighbors had their roofs blown off by the storm. Gerard's technology involves interlocking steel panels and batten-mounted system which prevents wind from peeling back and ripping off like shingle. It's tiles have been tested to withstand winds in excess of 120 miles per hour. Company to provide sheet piling for New Orleans levy construction Pittsburgh-based L.B. Foster Company announced this week that their Construction Products unit has been awarded $3 million contracts to provide American-manufactured piling to contractors for use on levee restoration in New Orleans. The company announced that it will supply PZC 13 and PZC 18 sheet piling sections from available inventory at regional stocking locations. L.B Foster claims its PZC sheet piling, manufactured by partner Chaparral Steel, is wider, lighter and stronger than typical PC piling, increasing savings by decreasing material weight and accellerating speed of production. L.B. Foster is a leading manufacturer, producer, and distributor of products for the transportation, construction, and energy industries.