American Iron and Steel Institute

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) is an association of North American steel producers. With its predecessor organizations, is one of the oldest trade associations in the United States, dating back to 1855. It assumed its present form in 1908, with Judge Elbert H. Gary, chairman of the United States Steel Corporation, as its first president. Its development was in response to the need for a cooperative agency in the iron and steel industry for collecting and disseminating statistics and information, carrying on investigations, providing a forum for the discussion of problems and generally advancing the interests of the industry. The Institute is well known and highly regarded for proactive and timely deployment of innovative strategies. The Institute has highly capable staff members, who are respected for their strategic thinking and their effective implementation of plans and initiatives. The Institute spearheads initiatives that favorably profile the industry's reputation as a global leader.

Mission

To influence public policy, educate and shape public opinion in support of a strong, sustainable U.S. and North American steel industry committed to manufacturing products that meet society's needs.

Vision

The vision of the Institute and its members is for a sustainable North American steel industry strategically positioned for growth and innovation and as a leader in the global marketplace.

trategic Goals

# The North American steel industry is world-class and operates in an expanding market; it is aggressively securing market share from competing materials and imports; and the North American steel industry is fully capable of taking advantage of opportunities in the global market.
# Steel industry customers rely on the North American steel producers as a vital component of their success and are investing in manufacturing technologies that support a strong steel demand.
# Shareholders are enthusiastic about the industry and its products and prospects.
# Steel is an attractive industry for high caliber talent at all levels.
# Member companies and the North American steel industry are growing, profitable, and respected in the global marketplace.
# The steel industry is recognized for its environmental, health and safety performance.

History

Through its predecessor organizations, the [http://www.steel.org American Iron and Steel Institute's] history spans more than 150 years. What follows is a brief description of the evolution of the Institute, beginning with a list of the principal milestones.

1855 American Iron Association is established.

1864 Name is changed to American Iron and Steel Association.

1908 American Iron and Steel Association is merged into [http://www.steel.org American Iron and Steel Institute] , with headquarters in New York.

1966 [http://www.steel.org AISI] opens its first Washington office.

1974 [http://www.steel.org AISI] moves its headquarters to Washington. The need for an organization "to take all proper measures for advancing the interests of the trade in all its branches" led ironmasters, clustered mainly in the East, to establish the American Iron Association in 1855. That year, world pig iron production amounted to 7 million tons.

In 1864, the Bessemer steel was made in the United States, and the Association, headquartered in Philadelphia, changed its name to the American Iron and Steel Association.

Early in this century, as the industry experienced explosive growth, its leaders saw the need for an organization to supplement the largely statistical activities carried on by [http://www.steel.org AISI] . That led to the founding of the American Iron and Steel Institute in 1908, with Elbert H. Gary as its first chief executive.

(Judge Gary would continue as CEO for 19 years. He was succeeded in 1927 by another titan, Charles M. Schwab. Four years later, the board elected to the position the only person from outside the steel industry ever to hold it. He was Robert P. Lamont, a member of president Herbert Hoover's cabinet, where he served as Secretary of Commerce.)

From 1908 to 1912, the Institute and the Association functioned side by side. But on January 1, 1913, the Association was merged into the New York - based Institute.

The "Roaring '20s" was a period of prosperity and expansiveness. Institute statistics showed that the United States produced 40 percent of the world's supply of iron and steel. The opulent flavor of the times is perhaps best illustrated by who was invited to address an [http://www.steel.org AISI] General Meeting banquet – the Queen of Romania.

But then came the Great Depression. In 1933, at its depths, Congress adopted the National Industrial Recovery Act, and [http://www.steel.org AISI] was called upon by the Federal Government to act for the steel industry in the establishment and administration of a Code of Fair Competition. That responsibility was so vast that almost overnight the Institute's staff had to be expanded from about a dozen people to almost 100. The NRA, however, was declared unconstitutional in May of 1935 and replaced in part by the National Labor Act. Subsequently, the AISI staff was reduced to about 30 and the [http://www.steel.org AISI] Committee on Industrial Relations was established to address labor issues.

Also in the '30s, it became apparent that the industry's technical terminology had become chaotic. The Institute came to grips with the problem, and out of its efforts came the [http://www.steel.org AISI] steel products manuals. They provided makers and users of steel with generally recognized definitions, descriptions and practices pertaining to the manufacture, chemistry, metallurgy and adaptability of steel products.

During World War II, [http://www.steel.org AISI] technical committees helped conceive the national emergency steels that conserved critical alloying elements. In recognition of that contribution to the winning of the war, the Institute was presented the Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Department of the Army. [http://www.steel.org AISI] also created a special committee on industrial health to help place returning injured war veterans in steel jobs.

In the 1950s, in response to the growing involvement of the Federal government in the operation of our market economy, [http://www.steel.org AISI] opened its first Washington office. The government relations department was joined in the U.S. capital by several other departments in 1969; and by the end of 1974, the Institute had moved all of its operations to Washington, except for regional building codes offices. Shortly before the New office closed, 115 people were employed by the Institute.

In the '70s changes were made in the Institute's structure so that it could effectively address such emerging public policy issues as the environment and energy, as well as become more active on behalf of the industry in debates over tax policies and policies concerned with international trade.

Over the past 10 years, restructuring of the steel industry has resulted in far-reaching changes in [http://www.steel.org AISI] . Like its member companies, [http://www.steel.org AISI] has downsized its staff. As its member companies have become more customer-driven, [http://www.steel.org AISI] has also increased its market development activity. Public policy activity has grown in importance, as has collaborative research and the role of associate members, almost all of whom are suppliers of the steel industry.

The Council of Electric Furnace Producers and the North American Steel Council were established as integral parts of [http://www.steel.org AISI] , and the Steel Can Recycling Institute as a satellite. SCRI recently became SRI, as it dropped "Can" from its name and expanded its interests to other end products made of steel.

A constant in every era has been the importance of committees to the structuring of Institute activities. Even the original association's By-laws provided for committees – one on statistics and another on finance. The Institute's By-laws at the time of its incorporation provided for four standing committees: Foreign Relations, Statistics, Improvement in Methods, and Membership. Today there are more than 40 specialist committees.

teel Industry

Whatever your interest about the North American steel industry –statistics, public policy positions, manufacturing & technology or commitment to the environment -- [http://www.steel.org AISI] is the source of the most accurate and comprehensive information. [http://www.steel.org AISI] members make over 75% of the steel produced in North America. he Institute therefore speaks out on behalf of the industry on a wide array of issues. [http://www.steel.org AISI] member companies are located in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The Institute seeks to develop unified positions on issues of mutual concern to the NAFTA region. Through [http://www.steel.org AISI] , the industry is able to work through collaborative partnerships and pursue market development programs aimed at expanding markets for steel, R&D projects aimed at best practices in steelmaking and initiatives designed to achieve new milestones in energy efficiency and sustainability.

= [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Statistics Steel Statistics.] =

= [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Public_Policy&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=73&ContentID=25470 Public Policy.] =

* [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Energy&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=77&ContentID=25582 Energy.]
**A $1 per 1,000 cubic feet increase of natural gas costs steel an additional $285 million in annual production expenses.
**Steel has invested over $60 billion in energy efficient technology since 1975.
**Steel's energy use has been voluntarily reduced by 29% since 1990.

* [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Trade_and_Tax&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=77&ContentID=25419 Trade.]
**Steel adds $350 billion to the American economy annually.
**Domestic producers generate more than 1.2 million jobs.
**Productivity has more than tripled since the early 1980's.

* [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Market_Development&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=77&ContentID=25412 Market Development.]
**Steel can be found all around us including in bridges, houses and our automobiles.
**Domestic Steel has contributed over $7 million in Gulf Coast Relief.
**Steel is the most recycled product on Earth.

* [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Climate_Change&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=77&ContentID=25413 Climate Change.]
**20% of the price of steel is represented by the cost of energy.
**Steel has voluntarily reduced energy consumption by 29% since 1990.
**AISI's CO2 Breakthrough Program will reduce GHG emissions by half.

* [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=China_Agenda&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=77&ContentID=25414 China Agenda.]
**The China-U.S. Trade Deficit in 2007 reached $256 billion.
**Since 1998, China has subsidized its steel industry $50 billion.
**China's currency manipulation is "an effective subsidy" - Reserve Chairman Ben Bernacke.

= [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Manufacturing_SHP_ Manufacturing.] =

* [http://www.steel.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ManufacturingSHP/Committees/Committees.htm Committees.]
**Operational Excellence is achieved only by never being satisfied with today’s performance! Knowledge sharing is at the center of creating the safest, the lowest cost and the most productive facilities and under [http://www.steel.org AISI] , its member companies attack operating problems at the root cause, share best practices and establish the benchmarks to drive operations to these goals.

* [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=R_and_D&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=35&ContentID=21850 R&D.]
**The search for the next breakthrough never ends in the steel industry! Whether the focus is the properties of advanced high strength steels for lightweight vehicles, online monitoring of the degassing process or developing steelmaking process that emit little or no CO2 emissions, steelmakers collaborate to broaden and accelerate the delivery of new technologies. Technology Roadmaps define the technical hurdles to be overcome and [http://www.steel.org AISI] challenges universities around the world to propose solutions.
* [http://www.steel.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ManufacturingSHP/PlantEquipmentDirectory/Plant_Equipment_Dire.htm Steel Plant Equipment Supplier Directory.]
**Engineers think in terms of manufacturing processes. And the equipment and services they need to make those processes work.
** [http://www.steelplantequipment.com/ SteelPlantEquipment] provides the only directory in the industry organized as you think—by process. If you need equipment for a hot-dip galvanizing line, you see only the equipment used in that line.

= [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Environment Environment.] =

* [http://www.steel.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Environment/Recycling/Recycling1.htm Recycled] Steel is North America's Number #1 Recycled Material. Each year, more steel is recycled than aluminum, paper, glass and plastic combined. In the past 50 years, approximately 50 percent of the steel produced in this country has been recycled through the steelmaking process.
* [http://www.steel.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Environment/KeepAmericaBeautiful/Keep_America_Beautif.htm Keep America Beautiful] is an environmental organization representing 569 certified affiliates, which includes 22 states, 234 counties, and over 300 cities across the United States.
*Industry Commitment. The steel industry has a standing commitment to sustainability, which is backed by significant investment in new technologies to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and heighten productivity. In fact, our industry has achieved a 23.2 percent reduction since 1990 in energy intensity per ton of steel shipped. We have been a leader in reducing energy intensity in the steel manufacturing process and correspondingly reducing greenhouse gas emissions through recycling and process innovation. The steel industry has further committed to achieving a 10 percent increase in sector-wide average energy efficiency by 2012, using a 2002 baseline of approximately 14 million BTU per ton of steel shipped as part of the DOE's Climate VISION Program. Our industry is well on its way to achieving this goal, with 7.4 percent improvement from 2002 - 2003.
* [http://www.sustainable-steel.org/ Sustainability.] The North American steel industry is committed to principles of sustainable development in manufacturing innovative products that answer society's needs. This commitment is aimed at improving the quality of life for everyone now and for generations to come. Our industry recognizes and values the interdependence of environmental, social and economic factors, a goal that is best realized through market forces operating in a growth-oriented regulatory framework.

Products

# Steel is the material of choice in a growing number of applications, and markets for steel are expanding.
# The image of steel is positive. Steel is regarded widely as a high performance, contemporary engineering material continuously being improved to meet new market demands.
# Steel is viewed as a material with low environmental impact due to its recyclability and the industry's efforts to minimize CO2 emissions through continuous development and deployment of new technology.

teel Markets

* [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Steel_Markets AISI Market Development.]

Automotive Markets

* [http://www.autosteel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Automotive2 Automotive Markets.]

Construction Markets

* [http://www.steel.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Construction Construction Markets.]
** [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Gulf_Coast_Steel_Initiative1&CONTENTID=13069&TEMPLATE=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm The Gulf Coast Steel Initiative.]

Cans and Containers

* [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Cans_and_Containers Cans and Containers.]

Other Markets

* [http://www.steel.org/Content/NavigationMenu/OtherMarkets/Appliance/Appliances.htm Appliances.]
* [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Outside_Processors1&TEMPLATE=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=5714 Outside Processors]
* [http://www.steel.org/Content/NavigationMenu/OtherMarkets/Railcars1/Railcars.htm Railcar.]
* [http://www.steel.org/Content/NavigationMenu/OtherMarkets/Shipbuilding1/Shipbuilding.htm Shipbuilding.]

North American Industry

# The North American steel industry is world-class and operates in an expanding market; it is aggressively securing market share from competing materials and imports; and the North American steel industry is fully capable of taking advantage of opportunities in the global market.
# Steel industry customers rely on the North American steel producers as a vital component of their success and are investing in manufacturing technologies that support a strong steel demand.
# Shareholders are enthusiastic about the industry and its products and prospects.
# Steel is an attractive industry for high caliber talent at all levels.
# Member companies and the North American steel industry are growing, profitable, and respected in the global marketplace.
#The steel industry is recognized for its environmental, health and safety performance.

Learning Center

Learn how steel is made by exploring the [http://www.steel.org/AM/AMTemplate.cfm?Section=Steel_Flowlines1&TEMPLATE=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=12908 Steelmaking Flowlines Chart] and the [http://www.steel.org/AM/AMTemplate.cfm?Section=Steel_Flowlines1&TEMPLATE=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=12431 Steel Finishing Flowlines Chart]

Learn more about Steel.

Elbert H. Gary Medal

Since 1927, the [http://www.steel.org AISI] has awarded an annual medal, named for its first president, to an outstanding leader within the North American steel industry. Awardees of the Elbert H. Gary Medal include:
*1991: Frank W. Luerssen [Staff (27 May 1991) "Luerssen recipient of medal" "American Metal Market" 99(101): p.6]
*1997: Joseph F. Toot Jr. [Staff (December 1997) "Toot retires as Timken's president" "New Steel" 13(12): p. 18]
*2003: John T. Mayberry [ [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=20031&CONTENTID=16298&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm "John T. Mayberry Awarded 2003 Gary Memorial Medal at AISI General Meeeting" 15 May 2003] ]
*2004: Daniel R. DiMicco [ [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=15996 "Daniel R. Dimicco Awarded 2004 Gary Memorial Medal at AISI General Meeting" 4 May 2004] ]
*2005: David Sutherland [ [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=15997 "David Sutherland Awarded 2005 Gary Memorial Medal At AISI General Meeting" 23 May 2005] ]
*2006: John P. Surma [ [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=14379 "John Surma Awarded 2006 Gary Memorial Medal At AISI General Meeting" 9 May 2006] ]
*2007: Louis Schorsch [ [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=20147 "Louis Schorsch Awarded 2007 Gary Memorial Medal At AISI General Meeting" 11 May 2007] ]
*2008: Andrew G. Sharkey, III [ [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=2008&CONTENTID=23596&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm "Andrew G. Sharkey, III Awarded 2007 Gary Memorial Medal At AISI General Meeting" 6 May 2008] ]

Partners

To compete in today's marketplace, it's essential to join forces around opportunities of common interest. [http://www.steel.org AISI] works with strategic industry, customer and government partners to make North American steel the material of choice.

[http://www.steel.org AISI] is recognized for its leadership and experience in forging partnerships that keep steel competitive. With our partners, we develop pre-competitive steel solutions to challenges faced by our customers. We're on the front lines on important issues dealing with national trade and defense, energy, the environment, and market development.

Auto/Steel Partnership

[http://www.a-sp.org/default.asp The Auto/Steel Partnership (A/SP)] is a consortium of the [http://www.steel.org AISI] Automotive Applications Committee, [http://www.daimler.com/ DaimlerChrysler Corporation] , Ford Motor Company, and General Motors Corporation. It is dedicated to ensuring that steel is the competitive material of choice in a changing automotive market.

Canned Food Alliance

[http://www.mealtime.org The Canned Food Alliance (CFA)] is a consortium of steelmakers, can makers, food processors and canned food brands that have joined together to promote the nutritional and convenience benefits of canned food. The consortium was formed by [http://www.steel.org AISI] . The Consumer Awareness Program for Canned Food began as a five-year effort by the steel industry and has been supported by the CFA since 1998.

Metal Roofing Alliance

The Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) is a coalition comprising [http://www.steel.org AISI] , metal roofing manufacturers, paint suppliers and coaters, dealers, metal industry associations, and roofing contractors. Its mission is to educate consumers and contractors about the outstanding value and superior longevity of metal roofing for housing applications. The MRA also provides homeowners with useful information, resources, and contacts to make the most educated decision when re-roofing their homes.

National Steel Bridge Alliance

[http://www.steelbridges.org The National Steel Bridge Alliance] is a unified industry organization of businesses and agencies committed to the development, promotion and construction of cost-effective steel bridges. It was formed jointly by [http://www.steel.org AISI] and the [http://www.aisc.org/ American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)] . Its goal is to make steel the material of choice for bridge construction.

teel Framing Alliance

[http://www.steelframing.org/index.php The Steel Framing Alliance (SFA)] was established by [http://www.steel.org AISI] in 1998 to accelerate the use of light-gauge steel framing in construction. The Steel Framing Alliance delivers innovative steel framing solutions to the residential and light commercial construction industries.

The Steel Recycling Institute

[http://www.recycle-steel.org/ The Steel Recycling Institute (SRI)] , a business unit of the [http://www.steel.org AISI] , promotes and sustains post-consumer recycling of all steel products. SRI educates the solid waste industry, government, business, the environmental community and consumers about the benefits of steel's infinite recycling cycle.

The Metal Initiative

[http://www.themetalinitiative.com/ The Metal Initiative (TMI)] is an industry-wide program designed to educate building owners, architects, and contractors about the use and selection of metal roofs and walls in commerical, industrial, and institutional buildings.

AISI Store

Find Steelmark Merchandise, Publications, and other resources at our [http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Bookstore&TEMPLATE=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=18053 store]

ee also

* AISI steel grades
* International Iron and Steel Institute

Notes

External links

* [http://www.steel.org AISI official Web site]