Mittal makes management changes at U.S. operations

Arcelor Mittal announced changes at senior leadership positions within Mittal Steel USA that are designed to improve operational performance at the U.S. operations and strategically align the company's flat products division in the Americas with long-term goals for the combined company.

Effective immediately, Lou Schorsch, who had served as president and chief executive officer, Mittal Steel USA, has been appointed to the position of CEO Flat Products, Americas. Schorsch will report to Aditya Mittal, chief financial officer Arcelor Mittal, who has overall responsibility for Flat Products Americas. In this new role, Schorsch will lead the integration and executive management of flat-rolled operations in the Americas. This includes integration and oversight responsibilities for CST and Vega do Sol in Brazil, Mittal Steel Lazaro Cardenas in Mexico, Mittal Steel USA, and the flat-rolled operations of Mittal Steel Canada.

"We believe there are tremendous operational opportunities and strategic and synergy benefits to be captured in the new Arcelor Mittal American flat products division," said Aditya Mittal. "As a result, we have made key senior executive changes designed to ensure that we capture all of these opportunities in the optimum time frame. Arcelor Mittal is the largest producer of high-quality flat steels in Europe and the Americas. We will also be working to ensure that we take advantage of this profile and maximize the opportunities for cross-continental flow of knowledge, R&D and innovation, in order to further enhance this leading position.

"The appointment of Lou and the management changes at the U.S. operations will be key to achieving a higher level of benefits, as well as performance. Lou has distinguished himself as a proven leader within Mittal Steel and has played a critical role in the successful integration of the ISG acquisition in the U.S. We will look for him to play a pivotal role in the integration of Arcelor Mittal in the America's and capturing the available synergies of the new, enlarged American flat products division."

Mike Rippey has been selected to succeed Schorsch in the role of president and CEO, Mittal Steel USA. Rippey previously served as executive vice president, sales and marketing, Mittal Steel USA. Rippey brings more than two decades of industry experience and a diverse background to his new position, having previously held responsibility for finance, purchasing, and human resources. In his new role, Rippey will continue to report to Schorsch.

"Mike has made tremendous contributions towards establishing the Mittal Steel brand in the U.S. market and in building a 'best-of-the-best' commercial organization," Schorsch said. "In his new role, he will bring the same mind-set and performance orientation to all of Mittal Steel USA, building on the successes we have achieved to date."

In a further development at Mittal Steel USA, executive vice president of operations Bill Brake will be leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. During his tenure, he made substantial contributions to the integration process and to the development of a strong Mittal USA culture.

Succeeding Brake in this role will be Len Chuderewicz, who currently heads operations at Mittal Steel - Indiana Harbor, the company's largest plant in the U.S. Chuderewicz has proved himself to be a valuable leader since joining Mittal Steel from U.S. Steel in 2004.

Rippey's appointment to president and CEO of Mittal Steel USA led to the selection of Dan Mull as executive vice president of sales and marketing for Mittal Steel USA. In this position, Mull will continue to capitalize on the experience he gained as vice president of marketing, Mittal Steel USA, by working closely with Rippey and the entire organization to ensure a successful transition into his new role.