- Business In Focus

WHERE INNOVATION
MEETS SUCCESS
AS FEATURED IN BUSINESS IN FOCUS CANADA
APRIL 2013
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APRIL ISSUE | 2013
BUSINESS IN FOCUS
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For close to 60 years, AltaSteel of Edmonton, Alberta
has proven to be a first rate facility, delivering high quality
finished steel products for such niche markets as the
mining, oil & gas, construction and automotive industries.
AltaSteel
Written by Anne Lindert-Wentzell
A
ltaSteel is a pioneer of sorts, whose research and
innovation, product quality and dedication to corporate responsibility has earned the company the
recognition of being a market leader, not only in western
Canada, but worldwide.
A Brief AltaSteel History
AltaSteel, formerly known as Premier Steel Mills Limited,
started as a mini-mill steelmaker in 1955, the 50s being a
decade which saw the emergence of a number of mini-mill
steelmakers in Canada. These mills began to work alongside
the much more capital intensive integrated steelmakers that
used blast furnaces to produce liquid steel by combining iron
ore, limestone and steel scrap.
Liquid steel can also be made by utilizing scrap steel and
reduced iron melted in an electric arc furnace; by the mid
1950s, there were electricity generating facilities large enough
to make such electric furnace steelmaking more practical and
economical.
It was Premier Steel Mills Limited that became North America’s first mini-mill to use the electric arc furnace to make liquid
steel which was then cast and moulded into desired shapes,
and it was through innovation and design that the mini-mill
steelmaking concept rose to new heights in North America in
1962. That was the year Premier Steel Mills was purchased by
The Steel Company of Canada and became known as Stelco
– Edmonton Works and ultimately, AltaSteel Limited in 1992.
AltaSteel now employs more than 450 employees and generates over $200 million per year in revenue. It is one of the
largest employers in Alberta’s capital region.
“AltaSteel now employs more than
450 employees and generates over
$200 million per year in revenue.”
Today, mini-mills account for 60 percent of North America’s
steel production. AltaSteel’s innovations gained the company
recognition by the American Society of Materials (ASM), which
honoured the first AltaSteel facility as an historical landmark
in 2004.
‘Steel’-ing a Part of the World Stage
As a scrap-based mini-mill with melting and casting facilities,
AltaSteel is seen as a world leader employing metallurgical
engineers, state-of-the-art equipment and exceptional production and maintenance personnel to ensure quality products and services.
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In the mining sector, AltaSteel is recognized for the manufacturing of grinding media, (heat treated grinding rods – of
which AltaSteel has its own patent) and grinding balls used to
crush ore for further processing in the mining industry. The
rectangular metal bars not yet cast into shape are referred to
as steel billets or ingots. AltaSteel produces 350,000 tonnes of
ingots annually.
For other industries, AltaSteel produces flats for truck springs
and off-road equipment, squares for the pipeline industry and
sucker rods for oil wells. Additionally, AltaSteel manufactures
reinforced bar (rebar), both regular and weldable in all sizes
and grades, used extensively in major construction projects
throughout Western Canada.
AltaSteel always strives to evaluate its customers’ needs, ensuring that the customer is supplied with the appropriate
steel grade for a specified application – providing the “best
fit” for their needs. The company ensures that the customer is
provided with the much needed value and quality that they
expect in an often competitive market.
AltaSteel operates as a subsidiary of Scaw Metals Group,
owners of Maple Leaf Metals, a scrap metal and processing facility in Edmonton. It is Scaw Metals Group which also
owns Moly-Cop based in Kamloops, British Columbia, a grind-
Technically innovative and value added solutions
Manufacturer of Synthetic Slag used in steelmaking
to improve steel quality and refractory performance
ISO 9001:2008 Certified
Currently we have two plants
Selkirk, Manitoba: (204) 785-9350
Stoney Creek, Ontario: (905) 643-5085
Third plant is being sought in the United States
BUSINESS IN FOCUS
4
ing ball facility which has the capability to produce recognizes the need for universities, research institu110,000 tons of grinding balls annually. AltaSteel is ISO tions and industry to take action to bring more highly
9001 and ISO 14001 certified and maintains this certi- skilled industrial workers into the manufacturing sector.
fication through annual audits, ensuring that it mainTo this end, AltaSteel has an onsite Learning Centre
tains all required policies, processes and procedures.
that ensures that its employees have access to conAltaSteel is also the recipient of the Canadian Innotinual learning and exposure to
vation Award for Diversification of
the continuously changing skills
Exports for its grinding products.
“AltaSteel recycles
and knowledge requirements in
Recognizing the Need for
the industry. Training is provided
over 330,000 tonnes
Skill and Innovation
of scrap steel annually through mentoring, classroom
and computer based formats.
into various products
AltaSteel recognizes that the
Employees are also encouraged
high quality steel manufactured
and is one of the
to partake in outside training
in Canada is highly dependent
largest recyclers in
courses to upgrade their skills.
on the skilled men and women
western Canada.”
who are employed in its facilPromoting Safety
ity. Like much of Canada’s indusAltaSteel is a member of the
trial sector, the steel industry faces the undeniable
Strathcona Industrial Association (SIA), a voluntary
prospect that skilled employees will ultimately retire,
business organization that promotes a healthy and
leading to a shortage of skilled tradespeople, engineers
safe work environment in the community in which
and managers.
AltaSteel operates. AltaSteel is engaged in land planIt is a fact that currently, half of Canada’s steelworkers ning, air monitoring and active participation in comare over 45 years of age. A recent report by the Ca- munity awareness programs as part of the company’s
nadian Steel Trade and Employment Congress (CSTEC) Corporate Social Responsibility mandate.
VCL provides a variety of onsite maintenance services from heavy machinery operation to skilled labourers. We are
professionals in excavation and snow & dirt removal, with skilled labourers in concrete work & repairs and roofing.
Contact Us: 780.818.9228 Email: [email protected] 16431-107A Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5P 0Z4
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APRIL ISSUE
“Like much of Canada’s
industrial sector, the
steel industry faces the
undeniable prospect that
skilled employees will
ultimately retire, leading
to a shortage of skilled
tradespeople, engineers
and managers.”
The business aims for zero work related
ticipation in creating a safe, secure work
injuries and illness, and this high stan-
environment and in constantly striving
dard applies not only to employees but
to improve the facility’s overall health
to contractors and visitors to its facil-
and safety performance. It is this com-
ity. Management through Occupational
mitment to the promotion of health
Health and Safety is AltaSteel’s focus for
and safety that allows AltaSteel to main-
ongoing continued success, a success
that has enabled the facility to operate
tain its competitive edge.
for 20 years without a fatality. AltaSteel
Respecting the Environment
holds OHSAS 18001 certification.
Protecting the surrounding environ-
All employees of AltaSteel are both ac-
ment is also of paramount concern for
countable and recognized for their par-
AltaSteel, and the company recognizes
281 du Bord-du-Lac · Lakeshore Road · Pointe-Claire, QC
Telephone: 514.426.9200 · Fax:514.426.1182
IN TUNE WITH YOUR LOGISTIC NEEDS
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Overseas import & exports, air and ocean
Air & road services from and too all places in North America
Local and long distance inland transport
All places in North America, LTL, FTL, heavy haul, special
permitted loads (min to millions of kilogram shipments)
Documentation, certificate of origin, B13’s
Presentation to customs for import
Border clearance notification
Oversize cargo
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Project cargos, bulk and equipment
On site supervision
Global services, located in 125 countries
Dedicated team service with after hour services available
Update daily information for all shipment activity
Pricing for all services made available upon request
We have multiple staff that can accommodate all your needs
Door-to-door service
Survey service
On site service at loads ports
BUSINESS IN FOCUS
the necessary long-term commitment, adherence to strict
policy guidelines and compliance with federal, provincial and
local regulations with respect to environmental protection
acts. Since 2001, AltaSteel has invested over $100 million in innovation and new, more efficient facilities, and in 2007, AltaSteel voluntarily implemented a plan to reduce its diesel consumption used for mobile
equipment. The plan has
“AltaSteel is a
proven successful in that
member of the
a 16 percent reduction in
Strathcona Industrial
diesel use was achieved
Association (SIA),
in 2008 and a 22 percent
a voluntary business
reduction in 2009, compared to 2007’s data.
organization that
promotes a healthy
This move has had the
effect of reducing emisand safe work
sions from the facility – an
environment in the
annual average reduccommunity.”
tion of over 300 tonnes of
carbon dioxide and nine
tonnes of nitrogen oxide – attributed mostly to equipment
idling reduction and equipment upgrades.
A multimillion dollar project was completed in 2009 in AltaSteel’s Bar Mill in which a billet reheat furnace, in use since
1967, was replaced with a Danieli reheat furnace, a modern
replacement that enables waste gas heat recovery through
combustion air re-heating. This also reduces nitrogen oxide
emissions and reduces – by 40 percent – the facility’s natural
gas consumption per billet tonne.
AltaSteel has two recirculating closed loop water systems
providing equipment cooling to the Bar Mill. Upgrades to
the Number 1 process system in November 2010 replaced
submerged transfer pumps from 1976 with above ground
horizontal pumps that no longer require a constant supply
of water for bearing lubrication. This has resulted in an 18
percent reduction in monthly water consumption for the facility.
As well, AltaSteel recycles over 330,000 tonnes of scrap steel
annually into various products and is one of the largest recyclers in western Canada. At least 70 percent of scrap metal
comes from the greater Edmonton area and it is both AltaSteel and Maple Leaf Metals that aid their communities in recycling material that would otherwise find its way to garbage
dumps or landfill sites.
Private Company Services
www.pwc.com/ca/dbia
At PwC we’re
proud to work
with AltaSteel, a
leader in Alberta
industry.
© 2013 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited
liability partnership. All rights reserved. 3092-11 0313
• Multi-Discipline
• Project Scoping
• Field Engineering
• Process Skid Design
• Turnaround Support
• Water & Waste Water Treatment
ENGINEERING & PROJECT SERVICES
ECO-Technica utilizes modern engineering
technologies including full 3D model based
engineering for client visualization and efficient
manufacturing. We are ahead of the curve.
WE ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING RESUMES FOR THE FOLLOWING:
CIVIL/STRUCTURAL • ELECTRICAL • CONTROLS • ENGINEERS & DESIGNERS
Giving Back to the Community
AltaSteel believes in giving back to the Edmonton and Strathcona County area, acknowledging that the community has
www.eco-technica.com • 780.440.0400
3821-78 Ave Edmonton, Alberta T6B 3N8
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APRIL ISSUE | 2013
been a driving force for the facility’s success. AltaSteel contributes in a number of ways:
promotion of health, wellness and the upholding of the competitive spirit between businesses, large and small.
*AltaSteel participates in Edmonton’s annual Corporate Challenge. The Challenge brings together employees from participating companies into a 17 day celebration of sport, recreation and teamwork. The Corporate Challenge is essentially a
*AltaSteel and the United Steel Workers Local 5220 are major
community contributors to the United Way through their
annual fundraising events and annual food drives which raise
over one tonne of food donations which are then distributed
600 Cranberry Woods Suite 200 | Cranberry Twp., PA 16066 | T: 728.778.5400 | F: 724.778.5401 | www.danieli.com | www.morgardshammar.se
BUSINESS IN FOCUS
“Canadians need to realize the
significant transformation that
steel has undergone… It is one of
the most important and progressive industries in Canada, and
throughout the world. We are
working to ensure that Canadians
appreciate how essential steel is
to Alberta and Canada, now and
into the future.”
- Chris Jager
Past President of AltaSteel in Edmonton
Canada Newswire, (CNW.ca), May 15, 2010.
Article titled, Canada’s Steel Industry
Recognizes Local Industry Champion.
“It is its commitment to the promotion
of health and safety that allows Alta
Steel to maintain its competitive edge.”
to local food banks in Edmonton.
*As a Partner for Life with the Canadian Blood Services, AltaSteeel encourages its employees to participate in blood donation on a regular basis.
*AltaSteel’s Scholarship Program supports the children and
spouses of current employees in educational advancements.
The Program is run annually, from July to September and recognizes scholastic achievements through financial assistance
for those studying at a recognized Canadian college or university.
It has been said that the steel industry is Canada’s backbone.
Indeed, it has transformed our transportation, energy and resource sectors through innovation and design. AltaSteel continues to remain a key player in that transformation.
Leadership and Responsibility
There’s more to being a leader than just performance.
It’s also a matter of responsibility,
the way we act to achieve our success.
Proud supplier to AltaSteel
who has been leading the way since 1955.
a i r l i q u i d e. c a
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Quarter page : 87,5mm x 130mm
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AltaSteel
PO Box 2348 | Edmonton, AB T5J 2R3
P: (780) 468-1133
www.altasteel.com
www.eco-technica.com
www.danieli.com
www.airliquide.ca
www.pwc.com/ca/dbia