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 In
a time of dramatic change for the global steel industry, SinterMet
has moved aggressively to strengthen the company’s position
as an industry leader by improving its productivity and competitiveness.
We’ve steadfastly held to our corporate vision,
our strategic plan, and our commitment to our customers, focusing
on delivering innovative
products to meet global needs and requirements. We have continued
to implement a good solid business strategy, growing our value-added
production
capabilities, expanding our global business platform, and keeping
costs in check.
Looking back at 2003, several events stand out as
key in helping to position SinterMet for the future. Most notable
is that the company
converted from ISO9002 to ISO 9001–2000 status by qualifying against
eight quality management principles: customer focus; involvement
of people; process approach; system approach to management; continual
improvement;
factual approach to decision-making; mutually beneficial supplier
relationships; and leadership.
In addition, we have made significant improvements to our manufacturing
process to ensure our competitiveness and quality levels.
As always, we have remained dedicated to our four main business objectives:
Quality
We understand that our customers require zero defects
in our products in order to maintain the necessary throughput in their
rolling mills. We are ISO 9001 - 2000 certified and will continue our
diligence in this area to ensure uncompromising quality.
Productivity
With the increasing need for steel production and service, we’ve
aggressively stepped up our product development efforts and implemented
new grades. Our attractively priced Shur-Clad composite roll, applicable
to the production of a variety of bar and rod shapes and sizes, is
attracting attention as a way for mills to migrate to SinterMet’s
optimum Shur-Lock composite roll. Meanwhile, SMETiC 2000 guide
rolls are gaining in popularity among our customer base.
Continuous improvements to our manufacturing process
have been and will remain the key to our maintaining the operational
excellence
necessary to compete in the global marketplace.
Employee Involvement
It takes the vision of our leadership team and
the participation and commitment of our entire staff to continue to
grow our share of the world market. We’re fortunate to rely
on a strong group of individuals who are working harder than ever
to satisfy our customers’ needs.
Customer Service
We’ll never compromise the level of customer service to
which our customers have become accustomed. As always, we’ll
continue to provide on-time deliveries and post-sales service.
The U.S. economy is improving, and steel demand is as
well. SinterMet is prepared to support this increased level of
activity, as well
as the continued demands of our international customers.
SinterMet, as part of the Hitachi Metals Roll Company,
is enthusiastic about our future as the world’s leading supplier of rolls
for the long products industry. Our unique combination of products
and services, which are offered to a global marketplace by an
internationally recognized company, puts us in a position for
growth in the coming years.
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