Company News

Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. (Sumitomo Metals) has introduced summertime working hours at its head offices in Tokyo and Osaka beginning 1 June 2011, as a method to limit electricity consumption. From 1 June 2011 until 30 September 2011, the business day will start and end one hour earlier. In Osaka, this means that employees will work from 8:00-16:30 as opposed to 9:00-17:30.

Sandvik Materials Technology UK has appointed Helen Harvey as its new Technical Sales Manager of Tubular Products. A Sandvik employee for more than 11 years, Harvey brings extensive knowledge of the company’s products and services to the table, in addition to previous managerial experience. She possesses an understanding of the Sandvik Materials Technology business platform

Sandvik Materials Technology has appointed James Cunningham as the new Account Manager with responsibility for Scotland. Having previously worked within Sandvik on technical applications and internal sales at Kanthal in Perth, James has extensive industry knowledge in addition to a degree in Engineering. His close liaison with customers on specific projects gives him ample experience in a number of market sectors, including oil and gas.

CEO of ThyssenKrupp, Heinrich Hiesinger, has announced that the company is splitting off its stainless division so that more of its sales fall to other divisions. As a result of the split, more than 35,000 workers will be let go. The main reason for splitting off the division comes as a result of overall debt, according to Hiesinger. The stainless steel division has been running at a loss over past few years with last year's turnover amounting to EUR 5.9 billion. 

Lianxin Iron and Steel Co. have ignited their furnace for the production of nickel added stainless steel in Dafeng Port Economic Zone, Yancheng. This represents the completion of the first stage of the company's nickel added stainless steel project. The intended annual production capacity of the entire project is 500,000tns of nickel added stainless steel.

R. Joseph Stratman, executive vice president of Nucor Corp., Charlotte, N.C., USA, has been appointed president of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) for 2011–2012. He will succeed former president William P. Breedlove, executive vice president, marketing and business development, Harsco Metals and Minerals, Seven Fields, Pa., USA. Stratman has been an Executive Vice President of Nucor since September 2007 

Castle Metals UK Ltd., (Castle Metals) supplier of high performance alloys and stainless steels for major industrial applications, has exported to their 50^th country this month- Luxembourg. The company began exporting products in 2002 and has enjoyed significant success in the 9 years since it began, receiving the Queens Award for Enterprise in 2009 and multiple honours from the Chamber of Commerce. Castle Metals currently exports to 45 countries in Europe, The Americas, The Middle and Far East, India and Australia.

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products Inc has appointed Dr. Vijay N Madi as Chief Technology Officer effective 2 May 2011. In his new position, Madi will greatly strengthen the company's technical support to customers; he will also provide the metallurgical expertise critical for the company’s process improvement effort and product expansion strategy. Madi will oversee the metallurgical process development at Universal Stainless and supervise all Company laboratory qualification and capability testing and analysis.

Sandvik Mining and Construction and Shandong Energy Machinery Co. have signed an agreement to form a 50/50 owned joint venture for the production and sales of coal mining equipment. Following customary regulatory approvals, the JV is expected to be finalized within 6 months. It is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2011 and will be fully consolidated in the Sandvik reporting.

REpower Systems AG has signed two contracts for Canadian wind projects. As per the contract, the company will cover the delivery, installation and maintenance of 55 REpower MM92 CCV turbines specifically designed for cold climates. 40 turbines will go to the Saint-Robert-Bellarmin wind farm located between the cities of Lac-Mégantic and Saint-Georges-de-Beauce in Quebec. The remaining 15 turbines are to be installed at the Ganaraska and Whispering Woods wind farms in Oshawa, Ontario.