David Sutherland of IPSCO is New AISI Chairman
Vice Chairs are Nucor's DiMicco, TAMSA's Vogel, and U. S. Steel's Usher 

January 22, 2004

The Board of Directors of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has elected David Sutherland, president and chief executive officer, IPSCO Inc., to a one-year term as chairman. He will be chairing the board's winter meeting in Washington, D.C. on January 22.

Sutherland succeeds Daniel R. DiMicco, vice chairman, president and CEO, Nucor Corporation, who served as chairman of AISI throughout 2003 and will serve this year as a vice chairman of the Institute. The Board has also elected to one-year terms as vice chairmen of the Institute the following: Guillermo F. Vogel, H., vice chairman of the Board, Tubos de Acero de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.; and Thomas J. Usher, chairman and CEO, United States Steel Corporation. 

"During his time as President and CEO of IPSCO, David has provided substantial leadership in North American steel industry forums as exemplified by his positions in AISI, the Steel Manufacturers Association, the Canadian Steel Producers Association and the International Iron and Steel Institute," AISI President and CEO Andrew G. Sharkey, III said. "As the 2004 chairman of the American Iron and Steel Institute, Dave Sutherland will continue to speak out in support of fair trade for all North American manufacturers and we look forward to his leadership in our aggressive efforts at the OECD to work with our trading partners to improve rules-based trade."

Sutherland assumes the chairmanship of the largest steel trade association in North America as the steel industry is emerging from a period of consolidation and restructuring as a revitalized world-class manufacturing sector. In his role as chairman, he will lead the Institute in its efforts to work with the industry's customers in areas of common interest, particularly to promote a NAFTA-wide, pro-manufacturing agenda. 

He said those common interests will be used as a foundation "to refocus policy efforts and help rebuild relationships" frayed during the turmoil of the last several years. 

"Our customers are here; we need to keep them here and go forward together," Sutherland remarked. "The steel industry stands ready with world-class equipment, experience and processes. We can and should be part of moving the manufacturing agenda forward."

"The structural change that occurred as the steel industry transformed itself is more significant than anything seen in the last 50 years," Sutherland noted. "This newfound vitality and vibrancy should be used to create a new industry image revealing a positive and progressive industry actively working to promote a fair trade agenda."

David Sutherland joined IPSCO in 1977, and has worked in all operating areas of the company - steel, coil processing, and tubulars, in both manufacturing and sales. He initially served in IPSCO's corporate area and then filled increasingly important manufacturing roles in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and Regina. In 1988, he moved to the United States and was responsible for IPSCO's first American pipe operations, residing in Nebraska, and later Iowa. In 1992, he returned to Canada, where he filled a number of lead roles prior to being promoted to vice president and general manager, raw materials and coil processing. In April 2000, Sutherland moved to the newly formed operational headquarters of IPSCO in Lisle, Illinois, and was appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer in April 2001. 

Sutherland holds directorships with the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA), and the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI) and is also a member of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan and an M.B.A. from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh.

IPSCO Inc. is an electric furnace flat rolled steel producer and a leader in the development of high strength steel and pipe. Headquartered in Lisle, Illinois, it operates facilities in the U.S. and Canada with the capacity to make 3,500,000 tons of steel annually. Utilizing electric arc furnaces, the steelworks melt steel scrap, and with the addition of appropriate alloys, create numerous grades and strengths of hot rolled discrete plate and coil. Steel can then be further processed at IPSCO's temper leveling and coil processing facilities. In addition, IPSCO's pipemaking facilities across the U.S. and Canada can produce square, rectangular, and round tubular products in various diameters up to 80".

IPSCO is committed to being an industry leader with respect to the environment. In 2002, its steelworks recycled 3.3 million tons of steel scrap, and spent $2.7 million in non-routine project expense and capital spending on projects designed to address environmental issues.

AISI is a non-profit association of North American companies engaged in the iron and steel industry. The Institute serves as the voice of the North American steel industry, speaking out on behalf of its members in the public policy arena and advancing the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 31 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 118 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI's website.

Contact:
Nancy Gravatt
AISI
Tel. 202-452-7115
 
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