Evraz NA committed to Ore.: Rehwinkel

Jun 20, 2012 | 11:49 AM | Michael Cowden

Tags  Steel Success Strategies conference, Evraz NA, Michael Rehwinkel, Michael Cowden

NEW YORK — Evraz Inc. North America remains optimistic about steel markets, even in the face of an uptick in imports, and is committed to expanding its operations in Portland, Ore., despite moving its headquarters to Chicago last year, according to the steelmaker’s top executive.

"The Evraz Group believes in North America and will continue to invest in North America," Evraz NA president and chief executive officer Michael Rehwinkel said in an interview during the Steel Success Strategies XXVII conference in New York co-sponsored by AMM and World Steel Dynamics Inc.

Being based in Chicago has allowed the company to recruit top talent and better service customers in the Chicago area, Rehwinkel said, calling the move a "great success."

But Evraz NA remains committed to its Portland operations, which Rehwinkel described as "by far one of our strongest assets" employing more than 500 people. Evraz NA started up a spiral mill in Portland in the past year, which could add another 200 to 300 employees in 2013 or 2014, he said.....