Ryerson Launches Comprehensive Reorganization
24 October 2007 - 9:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
New Senior Leadership Team is Named As Company Takes First Steps To
Improve Performance CHICAGO, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Ryerson Inc. today announced it has taken the initial steps in a
comprehensive reorganization to make the company stronger, more
nimble and a better service provider for customers. Ryerson, the
nation's leading distributor and processor of metals in North
America, was acquired Friday in a take-private transaction by
Platinum Equity, a buyout firm that specializes in complex
operational turnarounds. On Monday, Platinum made several key
appointments to the company's senior leadership team: * Robert
Archambault was named Interim CEO. Mr. Archambault is a partner at
Platinum Equity overseeing the Ryerson investment. * Stephen
Makarewicz was been appointed as President and COO. Mr. Makarewicz
was previously President of Ryerson South. * Terence Rogers was
appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Mr. Rogers was previously Vice President of Finance for Ryerson. As
part of the reorganization, Neil Novich, former Chairman and CEO,
Jay Gratz, former CFO, and Gary Niederpruem, former EVP, have left
the company. "We appreciate their longstanding commitment to
Ryerson, their professionalism and leadership, and we wish them
great success in the future," Mr. Archambault said. Further details
of the reorganization will be announced in the weeks ahead. In the
meantime, "our highest priority is to minimize any disruption to
our customers, suppliers and business partners," Mr. Archambault
said. "The change in ownership and reorganization gives us an
opportunity to build even stronger working relationships with all
of our business partners," he said. "I have encouraged every
Ryerson employee to focus on improving service as our highest
priority." Mr. Makarewicz said the change in ownership and
reorganization marked an important turning point for the company.
"This is an exciting new era for Ryerson, and a unique opportunity
for all of us to chart a course for the future," Mr. Makarewicz
said. "We will be reorganizing the company to improve customer
service, profitability and achieve operational excellence." Ryerson
Inc. is a leading distributor and processor of metals in North
America, with 2006 revenues of $5.9 billion. The Company services
customers through a network of service centers across the United
States and in Canada, Mexico, India and China. DATASOURCE: Ryerson
Inc. CONTACT: Terence R. Rogers, Executive Vice President and CFO
of Ryerson Inc., +1-773-788-3720 Web site: http://www.ryerson.com/
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