OREANDA-NEWS. November 07, 2014. ArcelorMittal has announced important organizational moves to enhance performance in North America, where operations represent one quarter of the company’s steel shipments and profits.

The efforts are focused on improving operational performance in North America and accelerating the successful integration of AM/NS Calvert.

“We are creating a more efficient organization by leveraging the company’s knowledge and expertise, optimizing our North American operations and achieving optimal performance with our improved asset portfolio,” said Lou Schorsch, chief executive officer, ArcelorMittal Americas. “The successful integration of AM/NS Calvert requires the company to evaluate every opportunity for improvement, to ensure world-class execution for our customers.”

This strategy involves the establishment of a North American flat-rolled segment to provide operational leadership and coordination to ArcelorMittal’s North America operations, particularly flat operations in the USA, AM/NS Calvert, and ArcelorMittal Dofasco.

This new segment results in the following leadership changes:

Jim Baske, currently chief executive officer of ArcelorMittal Dofasco, will serve as chief executive officer, ArcelorMittal North American flat-rolled operations. Sean Donnelly, currently chief operating officer of ArcelorMittal Dofasco, will succeed Jim as CEO.

Brad Davey, currently chief marketing officer of ArcelorMittal Dofasco, will be the lead commercial person for North American flat-rolled operations.

Andy Harshaw will serve as chief executive officer, ArcelorMittal USA, reporting to Jim.

Mike Rippey will leave his role as president and chief executive officer, ArcelorMittal USA, to become non-executive chairman of ArcelorMittal USA.

“On behalf of all employees at ArcelorMittal USA, I would like to thank Mike Rippey for his 30 years of service and the significant contribution he has made to the growth and success of the business. We look forward to continuing to work with Mike in his new role,” said Schorsch.

ArcelorMittal remains committed to maintaining shipments and production levels at our Northern USA and ArcelorMittal Dofasco facilities as we implement a more efficient organizational structure designed to capture the full market opportunity presented by AM/NS Calvert.

“We are confident that a more integrated, aligned organization can fully unlock the tremendous potential in our North American flat-rolled assets,” said Schorsch. “We are committed to ensuring that these changes do not impact the strong relationships we have with our customers or our hardworking employees and their focus on producing safe, sustainable steel.”