PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – A Finnish steel company world renowned for its sustainable manufacturing practices launched in the North American market today when it opened U.S. headquarters in Pittsburgh, and a new Canadian headquarters in Toronto.
Ruukki, one of the world’s leading specialty steel manufacturers, will bring its energy efficient steel products to North American manufacturers involved in mining, heavy lifting, transportation, and other demanding industrial applications.
The $3.8 billion company brings to the North American market more than a half century of steel manufacturing experience. Ruukki’s metals expertise lies in specialized steels developed with direct quenching technology that provides excellent mechanical properties such as superior surface hardness, core hardness and uniform toughness. Using high strength and wear resistant special steels, customers are able to design energy efficient products with lighter structures, longer service life and higher payloads.
Ruukki is an award winning steel maker globally recognized for its energy efficient products and operations. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an integral part of its business, focusing primarily on sustainability, competence and safety. The company has received many industry honors and ranks among the best in the world in iron making energy efficiency. Ruukki uses the minimum amount possible of carbon raw materials with its current technology. The company does its best to reduce the environmental loading of each steel product at each stage from production to recycling, while also ensuring a sustainable supply chain.
Specialized Steels
Ruukki will offer its two most popular steel products in North America: high strength Optim and wear resistant Raex steels. Optim steel helps manufacturers reduce energy costs of equipment, vehicles and other industrial products while gaining extra high strength performance. Optim is ideal for frame structures in commercial vehicles, mobile machines, equipment booms and other heavy lifting equipment.
The company’s other product line available in North America – Raex – is a wear resistant steel with a hardness and impact toughness best suited for bucket trucks and containers, mining equipment, platform structures, feeders and other high-wear applications. With plate thicknesses ranging from 2 mm up to 80 mm, Raex wear plates can extend the lifespan of machinery, decrease wear in structural components and save costs.
North American operations
U.S. operations will center in Pittsburgh, the heartland of America’s once booming steel industry. It will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary under the name Ruukki USA Inc., and will be headed by Kevin Kale, who has more than 17 years of steel industry experience.
The company’s Canadian subsidiary, based in Toronto, is Ruukki Canada Inc. It will be directed by new country manager, Peter Tuomi, who has an extensive background in mining, materials handling equipment and steel processing.
The entire North American operation will be managed by Josu Piña, VP Americas.
Ruukki has around 9,000 employees and an extensive distribution and dealer network across some 30 countries including the Nordic countries, Russia and elsewhere in Europe, North America and the emerging markets, such as India, China and South America. Net sales in 2012 totaled $3.78 billion
For more information, visit www.Ruukki.com.
Comments