The Association of Steel Distributors Welcomes Esmark and Mittal Steel to its Membership

CHICAGO—The Association of Steel Distributors (ASD) recently welcomed two major companies from within the steel industry to its membership, Esmark and Mittal Steel.

“We are excited about bringing these two major players on board,” said ASD executive director Ron Pietrzak. “These added relationships will create a new dynamic within ASD, allowing more communication amongst the industry.”

Both companies, which are amongst the largest in the world, decided to join ASD while in attendance of the association’s 2005 Annual Conference. This year’s conference took place March 5-7, in Palm Dessert, California.

With shipments of 42.1 million tons and revenues of over $22 billion in 2004, Mittal has steel-making facilities in 14 countries and sales and an additional 11 marketing offices. It employs more than 160,000 people spanning 45 different nationalities, and has shares listed on the New York and Amsterdam stock exchanges.

With the proposed acquisition of International Steel Group, Mittal Steel will become the world’s leading steelmaker, with annual production capacities of 70 million tons per year.
Esmark is the flagship company of the Bouchard Group, and was founded in 2003 by James P. Bouchard and Craig T. Bouchard. Esmark is a value added provider of steel services that combines the economic and strategic firepower of Ferrostaal, Mars Industries, and Meda Steel with the vision, industry knowledge and financial expertise of the Bouchard Group.

The Esmark Partnership represents one of the fastest growing steel services firms in the world. Current activities include purchasing over 400,000 tons of value added steel products and producing 300,000 tons of Electricgalvanized, roll-formed, and value added, slit just-in-time steel products.

About the Association of Steel Distributors:
Headquartered in Chicago, the Association of Steel Distributors is a non-profit organization, providing the steel distribution industry a forum for ideas exchange and market information. Members have access to the most current industry developments and legislative issues. Regional and national meetings give members numerous opportunities to learn and network in this competitive environment. For more information, please visit www.steeldistributors.org or call ASD Headquarters at 312.644.6610.

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