Welcome to Steel Information



Farmhouse Style Steel Sheds

Steel or metal sheds have been a necessary element of the farmhouse and farm style house. They come in a immense variety either to store up grains and even to deposit your gear along with other things. Huge steel or metal sheds that would have been used for building substances stored on large properties have considerable ranges to choose from.

You can have ranch designed steel sheds showing open or even enclosed bays by means of your type of access used for easy access.

The ordinary farmhouse style sheds are:

* Farm style metal sheds with a track driven door.

* Large farm sheds sporting a carport.

* Gaping farm style steel structures more often than not need a solitary section.

* Are large hay sheds.

Separately from everyday and ranch use, they are, also employed for every day reasons. You are able to errect them to park sizeable vehicles, look after live stock and these can equally be used as a garage. One can select web based sites where you can choose the plan as well as the structure for whatever purpose. You would be able to utilise any metal shed depending on the needs.

* Domestic steel or metal sheds - Are tough, strong and relatively cheap. They not only satisfy your needs but will look after your resources as well. One can store your farm tools, boats and other devices, safely and soundly, in these sorts of metal sheds.

* Farmstead style sheds- Used as tool or equipment sheds, hay sheds or just plain storage sheds; they may come with partly concealed enclosures. The weather proofed sheets provide strength and hardiness. They are appropriate for grain and/or other feed storage and offer appropriate shelter for harsh weather conditions.

* Equine steel or metal sheds- You could deliberate using these sheds for housing your live stock. Appropriately used as paddock steel sheds, equine stables and stalls. These concepts of reliable steel sheds offer you a secure storage facility and prove to be inexpensive. You can utilize them to produce a wide range of steel sheets for your use.

* Commercial metal sheds- Regularly these sheds have been extraordinarily well-liked and used for housing your vehicles at your place of work. One would also be likely to spot these types of steel or metal sheds that probably would have also been constructed as steel shed garages primarily used for cars or boats in many locations.

Steel sheds can be erected for many reasons. You can have them constructed in a pasture and utilise them accordingly. They can be definitely be found in lots of rural parts. In these areas you will probably not see any building which does not involve its own steel shed. Many corporations will help you to build steel or metal sheds and will suggest unique types of steel sheds such as:

* Steel Barn homes
* Steel Aircraft hangers
* Metal Aussie barns
* Large Steel garages
* Industrial steel sheds
* American steel barns
* Steel stables and stalls
* Acreage steel sheds

Exclusive steel or metal sheds fill several purposes. You will also be able to add them to residences. Their considerable use has guided a variety of companies to come up with numerous distinctive models. As a result they do offer several different styles as well as steel sheds for the customers. You can match up your requirements and alter the construction in view of your fancy. Even if you would like to look after horses, your car &/or plane or you might plan to stockpile your grains; you can go for any reputable business for their broad choice of steel sheds. They are loaded with a wide assortment of steel barn designs, metal sheds or stalls for your every day use and company use.

Article by Nicola Griffin http://www.ShedPlansSite.com Nicola has excellent information on her site about steel sheds, timber sheds. wooden sheds, garden sheds with design, construction and planning http://www.ShedPlansSite.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicola_Griffin

Your Guide to Understanding Common Steels Used in Knife Manufacturing

Blade Steel Basics - Part 1 "Your Guide to Understanding Common Steels Used in Knife Manufacturing"



Quality steel is the backbone of any knife blade. Understanding the composition makeup and performance properties of steels commonly used in production knife manufacturing can be mind boggling. I fall into the group of knife enthusiasts who are familiar with good steel but don't necessarily understand why it's good or how it compares to other production steels in a side by side comparison. Composition defined simply is the balancing of elements to form steel for a particular use or purpose.

My objective for this series of articles is to create awareness and to generate discussion on common blades steels, breaking them down into terms we novices can understand so the next time you lay down your hard earned money for a knife, you're able to make an informed buying decision. For discussion purposes pertaining to blade steels, I'll reference Kershaw Knives.

The majority of modern production knives utilize 3 types of steel - High Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel and High Carbon Stainless Steel. We'll discuss the performance qualities, advantages and disadvantages of each as they relate to 7 blade steel attributes:

1. Strength
2. Toughness
3. Wear Resistance
4. Stain Resistance
5. Ease of Sharpening
6. Edge Retention
7. Performance / Value Ratio

Please note that the type of steel, though important, isn't the sole factor of a knife's overall performance. Other knife characteristic come into play such as blade design, blade construction, blade geometry, production treatments, handle design & makeup, balance, weight and others all effect how a knife will perform for a particular job.

Let's begin with High Carbon Steel (HCS). HCS typically contains an abundance of Carbon which exists in all knife steels and is the most important element to determine the hardness of steel. Most quality HCS blades will fall between a 58-62 range on the HRC scale like the Kershaw Knives K1079 Outcast with D2 coated HCS. At this range, most blades are capable of taking and holding hair splitting edges! To be considered a HCS, carbon must compose a minimum of.5% of the overall steel composition. What does this mean? Here is an easy way to understand it. HCS is essentially Iron combined with carbon and other alloys to create the desired performance characteristics for a blade. Other alloys present in HCS generally provide an element of corrosion resistance (chromium) or toughness (molybdenum). As an example, 1095 blade steel is composed of about 98% iron,.95% Carbon &.4% Manganese. Other alloys exist in trace amounts but do not contribute significantly to the blades overall composition and performance. HCS used in knife manufacturing include CPM3, 1095, A2, D2 (Kershaw Knives Outcast) and O1 steel.

Kershaw Knives utilizing HCS & HCSS (High Carbon Stainless Steel):

Kershaw Knives - K1079 Outcast

Kershaw Knives OCC-1000 w/ CPM-D2 HCS

Kershaw Knives ZT0170 Combat Knife w/ 14c28N HCSS

Kershaw Knives ZT0150 Black Fixed Blade w/ CPM-3V HCS

Kershaw Knives ZT0100 All-Black Fixed Blade w/ S30V HCSS

The advantages of HCS blades are:
• less expensive than stainless steel blades
• higher tensile strength (Kershaw Knives K1079 Outcast)
• better resistance to wear and abrasion
• HCS is recognized for its ability to hold a killer edge

The disadvantages of HCS blades are:
• rust & stain more easily
• require more maintenance
• lack toughness (prone to chipping)
• more difficult to sharpen (Kershaw Knives K1079 Outcast)

My next commentary will compare 5 common production HCS to the 7 attributes used to measure the quality & performance of a blade. Stay tuned...

*Special thanks to: http://www.zknives.com - a tremendous resource to learn about knife steels

Kershaw Knives - "The Legend Continues"

Chad Griffin, Owner, iShop Knives, http://www.ishopknives.com

iShop Knives has one uncompromising mission; to deliver the world's highest quality knives from the most respected, dependable and passionate knife makers in the industry. For unparalleled service and a truly worry free shopping experience, look no further than iShop Knives.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chad_Griffin

SWOT Analysis new analysis released

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) -Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) - SWOT Analysis - a new market research report on companiesandmarkets.com

www.companiesandmarkets.com/Summary-Company-Profile/steel-author ..(sail)-swot-analysis-161607.asp

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) - SWOT Analysis company profile is the essential source for top-level company data and information. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) - SWOT Analysis examines the company’s key business structure and operations, history and products, and provides summary analysis of its key revenue lines and strategy.

Steel Authority of India (SAIL) is engaged in

the business of manufacturing and marketing steel and its allied products. It is a fully integrated iron and steel maker, producing both basic and special steel products for construction, engineering, power, railway, automotive, and defense industries. The company primarily operates in India. SAIL is headquartered in New Delhi, India and employs over 128,800 people. The company recorded revenues of INR456,544.4 million (approximately $11,340.6 million) during the financial year ended March 2008 (FY2008), an increase of 16.4% over FY2007. The operating profit of the company was INR97,558.2 million (approximately $2,423.3 million) during FY2008, an increase of 18.8% over FY2007. The net profit was INR75,967.8 million (approximately $1,887 million) in FY2008, an increase of 21.3% over FY2007.

Scope of the Report

- Provides all the crucial information on Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) required for business and competitor intelligence needs
- Contains a study of the major internal and external factors affecting Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) in the form of a SWOT analysis as well as a breakdown and examination of leading product revenue streams of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
-Data is supplemented with details on Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) history, key executives, business description, locations and subsidiaries as well as a list of products and services and the latest available statement from Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)

Reasons to Purchase

- Support sales activities by understanding your customers’ businesses better
- Qualify prospective partners and suppliers
- Keep fully up to date on your competitors’ business structure, strategy and prospects
- Obtain the most up to date company information available



http://www.pr-inside.com/steel-authority-of-india-limited-sail-r1539830.htm

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. Reports Profitable 2009 Third Quarter and Nine Month Results

LOS ANGELES--(Business Wire)-- Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE:RS) reported today its financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009. For the 2009 third quarter, Reliance reported net income of $41.8 million, or $.57 per diluted share. For the 2008 third quarter, Reliance had net income of $152.5 million, or $2.07 per diluted share. For the 2009 second quarter, Reliance had a net loss of $5.8 million, or $0.08 per diluted share. Sales for the 2009 third quarter were $1.24 billion, down from 2008 third quarter sales of $2.57 billion, and flat with 2009 second quarter sales of $1.24 billion. The 2009 third quarter financial results include in cost of sales a pre-tax LIFO income amount of $67.5 million, compared with a pre-tax LIFO expense amount of $79.0 million for the 2008 third quarter and a pre-tax LIFO income amount of $75.0 million in the 2009 second quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net income amounted to $56.1 million, compared with net income of $416.5 million for the same period in 2008. Earnings per diluted share were $.76 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared with earnings of $5.65 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Sales for the 2009 year-to-date period were $4.04 billion, down 39% from 2008 nine month sales of $6.58 billion. The 2009 nine month financial results include in cost of sales a pre-tax LIFO income amount of $217.5 million, compared with a pre-tax LIFO expense amount of $136.5 million in the 2008 year-to-date period. Reliance`s tons sold for the 2009 third quarter were down 26% from the 2008 third quarter and down less than 1% from the 2009 second quarter. Average price per ton sold was down 34% compared to the 2008 third quarter and flat with the 2009 second quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, tons sold were down 13% and average pricing was down 29% compared to the same period of 2008. For the 2009 third quarter carbon steel sales were 54% of our revenues; aluminum sales were 19%; stainless steel sales were 14%; alloy sales were 7%; other sales were 4% and toll processing sales were 2%. David H. Hannah, Chairman and CEO of Reliance said, "The 2009 third quarter results improved substantially from the 2009 second quarter mainly due to higher gross profit margins. Because of mill price increases for most of our products during the third quarter and our significant inventory reductions over the past twelve months, our inventory costs on hand are now more in line with current replacement costs allowing us to improve our gross profit margins from the historically low margins experienced in the 2009 second quarter. We further reduced our FIFO inventory levels by $92 million in the quarter. Demand from our customers improved slightly during the quarter from the low levels experienced in July." "During the 2009 nine months, we generated record cash flow from operations of $807.2 million. We repaid $192 million of debt during the quarter. On September 28, 2009, we amended our existing $1.1 billion credit facility to adjust certain financial ratios and limit certain uses of cash through June 30, 2010. Pricing was adjusted and we also extended the maturity date on $1.02 billion of the $1.1 billion credit facility an additional year, through November 2012. Concurrent with the amendment and extension of the credit facility, we paid off and terminated our term loan that had an outstanding balance of $444 million, using $194 million of cash on hand and $250 million of borrowings on the credit facility. At September 30, 2009 we had cash on hand of $88 million. Our net debt-to-total capital ratio is 28% as of September 30, 2009," commented Hannah. "We are pleased with the significant improvement in our gross profit margins; however, we are uncertain as to business activity in the 2009 fourth quarter. Although we believe that demand is fairly stable at low levels, the fourth quarter is typically seasonally slower for us. Pricing also seems to be more stable than it was earlier in the year; however, we believe there may be some slight downward pressure on pricing for many of our products in the coming months. Because of this, we are not comfortable providing earnings guidance for the 2009 fourth quarter. We will, as the quarter progresses, communicate any meaningful information regarding our operations as it becomes available. Reliance stands on solid financial footings and is well positioned for the eventual recovery in economic conditions," concluded Hannah. On October 21, 2009, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $.10 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on January 6, 2010 to shareholders of record December 4, 2009. The Company has paid regular quarterly dividends for 49 consecutive years. Reliance will host a conference call that will be broadcast live over the Internet (listen only mode) regarding the third quarter and nine month financial results for the period ended September 30, 2009. All interested parties are invited to listen to the web cast on October 22, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time at: http://www.rsac.com in the Investor Information section or http://www.streetevents.com. Player format: Windows Media and RealPlayer. The web cast will remain on the Reliance web site at: www.rsac.com through November 22, 2009 and a printed transcript will be posted on the Reliance web site after the completion of the conference call. Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., headquartered in Los Angeles, California, is the largest metals service center company in North America. Through a network of more than 200 locations in 38 states and Belgium, Canada, China, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, the Company provides value-added metals processing services and distributes a full line of over 100,000 metal products to more than 125,000 customers in a broad range of industries. Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.`s press releases and additional information are available on the Company`s web site at www.rsac.com. The Company was named to the 2008 "Fortune 500" List, the 2008 Forbes "America`s Best Managed Companies" List and the 2009 FortuneList of "The World`s Most Admired Companies." This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results and events may differ materially as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.`s control. Risk factors and additional information are included in Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.`s reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.`s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009.

Steel Buildings Catalogs

Catalogs are promotional tools used in marketing. Catalogs are available in the printed form and as online versions. Steel buildings catalogs provide information about steel buildings. The printed forms may be short pamphlets or booklets with a number of pages. Steel building catalogs are necessary tools in the selection of steel building products. They provide a comprehensive idea about the cost of the construction. The catalogs of some manufacturers also give guidelines for the assembly of the system.

Steel buildings catalogs narrate the features of steel buildings, with adequate examples and thumb nails. Photographs are also used to make the catalogs more attractive. Online catalogs include video graphs and animated pictures of steel building construction. In catalogs, the price of a product is mentioned near its description. Attractive offers and discounts are also mentioned in catalogs. These catalogs can be used to acquire the price quotes of various kinds of steel buildings. Steel buildings catalogs also mention recommended accessories. Some catalogs include warnings about inappropriate structuring of steel buildings.

Steel buildings catalogs focus on every aspect of these buildings such as roof panels, wall frames and accessories. They describe the size, pattern and color of the product. Construction details are also included. The process of assembly is detailed through a series of pictures. Each step in the construction is outlined. The unique advantages of steel such as weather resistance, cost effectiveness and reduced time consumption are mentioned in catalogs. The special features of a steel building over its competitors are projected.

Steel buildings catalogs are available from manufacturer and builder websites on the Internet. Most manufacturers have printed catalogs meant to be circulated among the public. They put in maximum effort to boost the steel buildings industry. These catalogs are also distributed through news letters. Online catalogs are circulated through mails and affiliate marketing.

Steel Buildings provides detailed information on Steel Buildings, Commercial Steel Buildings, Pre-Fabricated Steel Buildings, Steel Storage Buildings and more. Steel Buildings is affiliated with Metal Building Kits.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Emerson

Labels: ,

3 Reasons Why Steel Buildings Are Beneficial and Gaining Popularity These Days

Explained below are a few reasons for the use of the steel:

1) Money Saver -

The main reason for the increasing use of steel buildings is the low construction cost. Assuming that the building fits the parameters and limitations of what is appropriate for steel, prefabricated steel building kits are generally less expensive than the custom-designed structures built using traditional construction methods.

2) Multi-use -

Steel buildings can be used for a wide range of applications. Steel Buildings used to be limited to storage facilities and aircraft hangers. Now, steel is used very successfully for structures as small as toll booths and vending machine shelters, and as large as barns and agricultural facilities, work shops, sports facilities, even churches and retail centers.

3) Compound Benefits -

These prefabricated Steel Buildings are said to have several benefits & can be used in many circumstances. Prefabricated steel buildings can be erected more quickly than traditionally constructed buildings. Assuming that the prefabricated kit does not require significant customizing, the long project's design phase is reduced considerably with the use of the steel building system.

4) Non-combustible. Steel is a highly fire-resistant material. So a steel frame can better withstand a fire as compared to wood.

Conclusion:

Those design projects which fall under 50,000 square feet, steel buildings happen to be the best choice. For smaller warehouses, industrial and commercial projects, these benefits make steel buildings an extremely attractive solution for the cost-conscious building owner. Steel buildings are also the perfect choice for larger buildings where a large clear span space is required.

Standard Steel Buildings LLC design and build steel buildings in all parts of Texas, like Dallas, Austin & Houston. From commercial metal building for your warehouse, school, retail, church, storage, we make your buying process simple. Contact Us or Request a Free Quote

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Astha_Joshi

Labels: , ,

Steel Buildings for Sale

Steel buildings are used for residential, commercial, recreational and agricultural purposes. Advantages of steel buildings are low building cost, durability and less time consumption. Prices of steel buildings depend on the price of steel at any given time. Steel buildings for sale give customers an option to buy the best at a low price. Sometimes if the cost of building materials or steel is lowered, steel buildings are available for sale.

A small percentage of steel building deals fail to materialize. Some customers create financial loss to the seller when they do not collect the product within the time limit. Then the product remains undelivered. In such cases, companies offer steel buildings for sale at very low prices. There is a reduction of $2000 to $4000 from the current market price. Extra fittings and other accessories of steel buildings are also kept for sale at cheap rates. Immediate availability of necessary goods is another benefit in the sale of steel buildings.

Some firms conduct year end clearance sales of steel buildings for special prices. Steel buildings for sale during festival and seasonal occasions are a great boon to customers. Modern facilities, wide selection and cheap rates make these sales a profitable event for buyers. To familiarise new steel building materials to the market, some factories give discounts to those special products. Normally steel buildings for sale by certain firms last only for a fixed period. Even single day sales are conducted by companies on limited pre-constructed steel buildings. Used steel buildings for sale are also available at very low rates.

According to the terms and conditions of some companies, steel buildings for sale do not include accessories or end walls. They also take transportation charge from customers. Online sale of steel buildings with a quote comparison list helps customers to evaluate products with respect to price and quality. Bidding of steel buildings for sale also enables customers to select the best options at low rates. The sale of steel buildings is promoted by companies to survive the tight competition in the market.

Steel Buildings provides detailed information on Steel Buildings, Commercial Steel Buildings, Pre-Fabricated Steel Buildings, Steel Storage Buildings and more. Steel Buildings is affiliated with Metal Building Kits.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Emerson

Labels: ,

New Vice President of Sales and Marketing Appointed for SunSystems; Britta Steele Brings over 15 Years of Senior Level Experience in Software Sales an

Systems Union, Inc., developers of SunSystems -- an innovative financial and business information software solution, today announced that Britta K. Steele has joined the company as Vice President of Sales and Marketing to support its growing presence in the Americas.

In this role, Ms. Steele oversees the company's business development initiatives by supporting sales operations and driving revenues from strategic partnerships. In addition, Ms. Steele is responsible for leading all Americas marketing activities including brand management, demand creation, product marketing, corporate communications and field marketing. Ms. Steele also leads the company's marketing and business development initiatives to promote the SunSystems suite of products including:

-- Financials

-- Sales Order Management

-- Purchase Management & eRequistioning

-- Inventory Management

-- Product Management

-- Professional Services Automation/Time & Billing

-- Advanced Analytics and Reporting

-- Web Self-Service

With over 15 years experience working with financial professionals across medium to large organizations, Ms. Steele understands the issues faced by prospective customers in meeting their corporate objectives. Ms. Steele has demonstrated the ability to accurately develop solutions that enable customers to decrease total cost of ownership, increase analysis and forecasting capabilities and increase overall productivity. In her most recent position, Ms. Steele was Vice President of Marketing at Ascendant Solutions. Prior to Ascendant Solutions, Ms. Steele served as Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Coreintellect. In addition, Ms. Steele served as Senior Director of Global Product Marketing for Personic. Ms. Steele also spent five years at Oracle Corporation working in sales and then as Director of Worldwide Marketing. While at Oracle Corporation Ms. Steele was an integral part of the company's sales growth and was honored with 3 awards for marketing leadership and sales.

"We are delighted to have Britta Steele on our team at a time when SunSystems implementations are expanding in the Americas. SunSystems has long been recognized as a leading global financial solution. We are firmly committed to delivering our vision of empowering customers to achieve their financial and business objectives," says Mark Wolfendale, CEO, Americas, Systems Union, Inc.

"In the Americas, and around the world, SunSystems meets user demand for software and services that deploys globally, and can be managed locally -- all in a single instance and at the lowest cost of ownership. SunSystems' advanced analytics dramatically shorten the decision-making process helping keep organizations on track and on target," comments Britta Steele.

According to Mark Wolfendale, "The Vice President of Sales and Marketing role is vital in communicating and delivering our proven value proposition to the market: that SunSystems offers the same financials functionality as the "Big 3" at a fraction of the cost. SunSystems' seasoned management team, unique value proposition, strong customer relationships and technical expertise are instrumental in expanding our presence among enterprise companies throughout the Americas."

About SunSystems

SunSystems is a leading global financial and business management software solution. The product is used extensively by multinational organizations that require an international solution with global support. SunSystems is installed in 18,000 customer sites, with 250,000 customer seats in 194 countries. SunSystems customers include one quarter of the Fortune 500. SunSystems products are available in 27 languages. For more information, visit www.sunsystems.com.

About Systems Union Inc.

Established in 1981, Systems Union Inc. is part of Systems Union Holding Ltd. The company has 20 offices worldwide and over 200 channel partners in 74 countries. Systems Union has annualized revenue in excess of $70 million and 710 staff worldwide. For more information, visit www.systemsunion.com.

Austeel succeeds as a new-style "mini-mill"

AUBURN-Having well-read public officials can be beneficial to local economic development, as Auburn's business community found out in the early 1970s. Then-mayor Paul Lattimore coaxed a Japanese steel company to build its new plant in Auburn rather than in Alabama after he read a newspaper article about a proposed new steel mill says James A. Dacey, vice president or Auburn Steel Company, Inc.The mayor hired a company to study the feasibility of locating the plant in Auburn and then presented the completed study to Japanese officials in Washington. The officials put him in contact with the Koyoei Steel Company, which informed him that it had already chosen a site in Mobile, Ala. for its next generation "mini-mill." But Lattimore didn't give up, and he invited Koyoei management to Auburn to examine the area. After considering the mayor's plan and seeing that the necessary water, power, raw materials, and market were in place, Koyoei decided to build its new mill in Auburn. Mayor Lattimore's reading habits and persistence helped him pull off a "steel steal" that today employs 300 Auburn-area residents.

Austeel, as the company is known, was built on a different model from the giant mills that rolled America's steelframed infrastructure for more than 100 years. "The one-mill business," says Dacey, "is a thing of the past."

The plant began operations very slowly because of the Japanese-influenced management style the owners brought to Auburn, Dacey says. First, the company hired a team of supervisors and trained them in production techniques. The team then split up and more workers joined each team. The teams would then rotate into different production areas."We took melters and trained them as steel rollers," he says. "That was totally unheard of in the U.S. steel industry."

Slowly and carefully, the teams expanded until each side of the plant, melting and rolling, had four teams in place. The plant's production grew from 50,000 tons per year to 150,000 tons per year as the team members improved their skills. The Auburn plant, upgraded in the years since its opening, now produces 450,000 tons per year, Dacey says.

The Austeel plant has no time clocks, as most employees are salaried. The company has no sick days or personal leave; the employee's supervisor approves pay for absences, says Dacey. The policies have worked well over the years, he reports; the company has an 0.4 percent absentee rate-the average U.S. manufacturer reports a 3.8 percent absentee rate, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

Dacey credits the company's survival

and prosperity to its employees' dedication to the business. When clients visit Austeel, he says, they are surprised to learn that individual steelmakers are familiar with the customers' purchases. The company cooperates with local schools in training programs, to ensure a future supply of skilled workers, he says.

Austeel has one of the best safety records in the industry, often going several years without a "lost-time" accident, Dacey says. The plant employs modem, computer-controlled processes to produce steel with a careful regard for the environment, he adds.

A "bar mill" in industry parlance, Auburn Steel Company makes several varieties of steel used in auto, mining, railroad, and other industries.

"We make rounds, squares, angles, channels, flats, reinforcing rod, and special bar shapes," says Dacey.

Austeel also produces its own oxygen used in the melting process.

Austeel's market stretches from Iowa to Maine and as far south as Virginia. Changes in the business have reduced the regional nature of the steel business since the 1970s, Dacey says. Competitors from as far away as Louisiana regularly compete with Austeel in its home area.

Dacey says the company plans to pursue growth through acquisition of existing mill properties. In 1994, the company added a second mill in Lemont, Ill. Each mill is run by a general manager, a post currently left vacant by retirement at the Auburn plant.

The Sumitomo Corp. of Japan owns most of Austeel, as well as several other mills around the world.

Gearmotor meets food industry sanitary requirements

Ultramite SS right-angle, helical bevel gear drives feature smooth housing and C-Face mounting surfaces constructed of corrosion-resistant 316SS Stainless Steel. All unused housing holes are plugged with stainless steel caps, and nameplate information is etched into housing. Dual Lip/High Pressure Exclusion Seals keep lubrication in, while standing up to harsh chemical and high-pressure wash down environments. All hardware features capsulated locknuts. Milwaukee, WI - A NEW line of Stainless Steel Helical Bevel Gear drives is now available from Falk Corporation, for Food Industry sanitary requirements. These drives feature smooth Housing and C-Face mounting surfaces constructed of corrosion resistant #316SS Stainless Steel. This design eliminates areas where bacteria and pathogens normally grow and provides for thorough wash downs. In addition, all unused housing holes are plugged with stainless steel caps and the nameplate information is etched into the housing allowing for easier wash down. All hardware features capsulated locknuts, further eliminating areas for bacterial and pathogen growth.

Falk's New Ultramite SS Drives also feature a C-Faced Input for use with any brand of electric motor. Dual Lip/High Pressure Exclusion Seals are supplied as standard to keep lubrication in, while standing up to the harsh chemical and high-pressure wash down environment found in the Food and Beverage Industry. All Ultramite SS drives come factory filled with premium H1 approved lubricant For more information on Falk's products and services, contact The Falk Corporation, 3001 W. Canal Street, Milwaukee, WI 53208, USA, Phone: 414.937.4686, Fax: 414.937.4047, E-Mail: info@falkcorp.com, Web Site: www.falkcorp.com

The Milwaukee, WI based Falk Corporation offers drive systems, gear drives, gearmotors, shaft couplings, fluid couplings, coupling guards, ring gears, and steel castings in mining, metal processing, pulp and paper, cement, aggregates, chemical processing, utilities, transportation, and food processing.

How Important Was the Invention of Iron Ore

Our science books are full of successful inventions of Thomas Edison like electricity, phonograph and many others, but there is hardly any mention about his failures. One of his most peculiar failures was his lack of ability to find an effective way to excavate iron ore.

If he had been successful in excavating iron ore, he would have been a billionaire at that time and the possibilities that would have been generated after excavation like creation of millions of jobs, and many other inventions.

Iron is the most economical of all the metals available for mining, and yet at the same time is of no use in its pure form. Pure Iron is very delicate and cannot be used to manufacture any products. It is silver in color in its pure form. Its gets its gray color after it is combined with oxygen. Iron can not be put any practical application in its pure form.

Hence it was important that an effective extraction process was discovered. For ten years, from 1880 to 1890, Edison carried out many experiments, hired the services of scientists, to find a novel way to extract iron ore. He was doing this to extract iron ore for the Pennsylvania steel mills.

He shifted from his comfortable office to work in the old iron mines to look for an economical way to meet with the growing demand of steel . His experiments of testing and processing were getting very expensive and he had to sell all his stock in General Electric to fund his invention. His heirs must be regretting his decision even today.

Edison could not succeed to extract the iron from unusable, low grade ores. He had to finally abandon this project. He could never recover his money that he had put in this project. Later on however, he a earned lot of money after he continued his work on the phonograph and motion pictures etc.

It was a challenging task for both Edison and the American economy to find an economic way to produce steel at cheaper rates. After 1840 the American iron industry was going thru a resurgence as American was not one of the major steel producer in the world.

In 1844, government surveyors traced huge deposits of iron ore of anthracite in the Great Lakes area. After this Pennsylvania became known as America’s largest supplier of iron and steel.

A British engineer named Henry Bessemer invented a process for steel extraction process. He accomplished the incomplete task of Thomas Edison. He devised an iron smelting process thur which it was feasible to produce large quantities of steel. This process is still used by some manufacturers even today.

His invention was quite inexpensive and provided an efficient process to produce steel from iron ore. But still a refined process was invented by Abram S. Hewitt who even improved on Bessemer process of Andrew Carnegie. He soon became a steel tycoon that by his improved process of developing the open-hearth converter and his process was preferred over that of Bessemer by American steel manufacturers.

The American steel industry was revolutionised with the invention of low cost steel production. American Industry was now the leader in the world in steel production. In 1873 alone, America produced nearly 115,000 tons of steel. It was now possible to use steel in many industries because of fall in its prices.

Automotive industry in America is the major (nearly 70%) user of finished steel in America.

Accessories Available With Steel Buildings

The versatility of steel construction allows for a number of add-ons and accessories for buildings. Whether building an office park, church, barn, or small hangar, you can enhance your steel building with a number of accessories.

Personal Doors- Personal Doors are available either as solid metal or long-vue. Doors may include 16-gauge frames and come complete with all necessary hardware. Face sheets are normally 20-gauge embossed finish, protected by a G-60 hot-dipped galvanized coating, with a two-coat acrylic paint finish.

Ventilators - Both continuous ridge vents and circular vents by are fabricated by galvalume or painted steel and have operable dampers.

Windows - Sliding slash aluminum windows are specifically designed to be used with various exterior wall systems. Windows may include latch, half-screen, weather-stripping and provisions for storm sash installation.

Louvers - Steel-constructed wall louvers have overlapping design weather tight blades which can be either fixed or adjustable. An insect screen is standard, and louvers may be installed either singly or side-by-side.

Frame Openings - These are wall opening accessory items, such as overhead doors, which require framing and support are easily accommodated by quality, secondary structural steel framed openings.

Translucent "Skylight" Panels - Translucent glass fiber panels may be provided in either "general purpose" or UL-Approved fire retardant material.

Eave & Gable Canopies - Structural eave and gable canopies may either be extensions of the roof line or situated below the eave or rake line. Both types of canopies are fully framed and trimmed and include return downspouts for eave canopies.

24-Gauge Rollformed Gutter & Trim - Strong, straight 24-gauge rollformed gutter and trim by gives every building a professionally finished touch along eave and rake lines.

Vertical or Mansard Facades - Vertical and sloped mansard facade systems gives the building designer the option to alter building profiles to achieve a flat, aesthetically pleasing appearance.

These are just a few options that await you when you design a steel building for your business. Contact a steel building kit company today to learn more.

Abs of Steel - 2 Awesome Tips for a Rock Solid Core

Nowadays everyone wants abs of steel.

Having abs of steel shows that you are the pinnacle of being hot and sexy.

The problem is, the vast majority of people have no idea how to get abs of steel. They try to do it by doing hundreds of crunches and crash dieting. Unfortunately, this common approach to getting abs of steel is not very effective and may even end up sabotaging your efforts!

Whether you are an advanced bodybuilder or haven't exercised in years, the follow guidelines always have and always will be at the forefront of losing body fat and getting the abs of steel that the opposite sex loves.

Top 3 Tips to get Abs of Steel

1. Nutrition is King

That's right. In order to get abs of steel, you absolutely must follow the right nutrition guidelines.

These techniques are actually very simple and straightforward. The problem is that most people are on information overload to the point that they are just downright confused about what works.

If you want to get abs of steel, you need to have a certain type of diet. I am not an RD so I will not try to tell you what is best for your individual body, but I can tell you the basics that all the rest will stem from.

Here we go.

Create a defecit in the number of calories you consume.

This is very a very specific tactic that you must use. If you want to lose body fat, you need to take in less calories. This is an aspect of getting abs of steel that will help you really carve out the midsection.

But taking in less overall calories is not enough. You need to take in less overall calories while eating right foods at the right time. That is so important it needs to be repeated:

You need to take in less overall calories while eating right foods at the right time.

By eating the right foods, you are going to store less calories as body fat and start to see those abs of steel take shape. By cutting down on high glycemic "bad carbs", your blood sugar will stay more regulated. When you eat a big meal of bad carbs, your blood sugar spikes very high. Then, your body releases more insulin to store the excess blood sugar as body fat.

You want to avoid the bad carbs and instead consume more high quality protein (chicken, tuna, turkey, etc.), more complex carbs (wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice), and consume more healthy fats (usually omega 3 fatty acids found in fish).

This is the staple of having the proper nutrition to get abs of steel!

2. Lose body fat by total body strength training.

When most people try to get abs of steel they try do just do tons of crunches.

The truth is that in order to get abs of steel, you need to lower your body fat percentage. Nutrition is one half, and exercise is the other half.

To lose body fat and get abs of steel through exercise, you want to increase your active and resting metabolism. You can do this by adding muscle mass and high intensity cardio.

The best way to add muscle mass to burn fat is by doing total body strength training workouts 2-3 times per week in a circuit training format. This format will help you get abs of steel because you will work more overall muscle, which will increase your metabolism.

High intensity cardio has the same effect. If you try doing 2 minutes slow and 1 minute fast on a cardio machine, you are doing what is called interval training. This is excellent for burning calories, raising your metabolism, and for losing fat to get those abs of steel!

So as you can see the best combination of getting abs of steel comes from having the right nutrition and exercise program, not by crash dieting and doing lots of crunches.

Check out the link below for more great information on how to get abs of steel.

Want to Reprint this Article on Abs of Steel?

Reprinting is welcome as long as the content, links, author bio, and resource box are all included and remain completely unchanged.

Steel Buildings Texas - Making the Right Decision

We all know that Steel buildings are gaining popularity day-by-day because the many benefits and advantages that steel building systems provide are without a shred of doubt. With this increase in popularity, more steel building companies are entering the marketplace which is making a purchasing decision for a customer more difficult. However, having a basic understanding of the industry will help to ensure that you are not taken advantage of and that you are able to decide what, how & from where you need.

Beware of Steel Building Hucksters

Like many industries, the steel building industry too has its share of hucksters. These companies, out to make some quick money, often prey on ignored consumers who are not having enough education to counter-check the details. Thus, making a purchase without having proper knowledge about steel buildings and the purchasing process can land you up in a disastrous situation. So, educate yourself before stepping out.

Low-Grade Steel Buildings

You’ll come across a lot of companies who would make you believe that they are selling their steel buildings a cheapest price in the market. Before, you get excited check if they are using low-grade materials and components in order to offer you the lowest possible price. These low-grade buildings may not be as reliable and may cost you more money in the future because of maintenance and other issues. Making your purchase for a steel building just by the price factor might get you in trouble. Its recommended that you go thorough a thorough check to ensure that these steel buildings are created equal. Purchase the highest quality steel building you can afford.

Getting the Worth

If you want to get the most value for your money, it is obvious that you will not want to shop for a steel building on price alone. The lowest price does not necessarily mean the best value. In fact, in many cases, the lowest price could mean the lowest value for your building dollar. Some steel building companies offer their customers very little in the way of post-sales support. There would be a lot of customers complaining that they purchased a building from a company and were left on their own to figure out how to get the building erected. This can be a challenge for an individual or organization that does not have the requisite experience.

When making a purchasing decision, you will want to take into consideration the total value you are receiving for the dollars you are spending. Will the steel building company support you during the construction process? Will the company help you design the building to your specifications? Will the company help you with the permitting process? These are important questions to ask, especially if you are a business owner with little time to devote to the project.

Standard Steel Buildings LLC design and build steel/metal buildings in all parts of Texas, like Dallas, Austin & Houston. From commercial metal building for your warehouse, school, retail, church, storage, we make your buying process simple