AIST Announces T.C. Graham Prize Contest
08/25/2014 - The Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) is proud to announce the T.C. Graham Prize. This is a unique contest to recognize innovative applications for steel that may lead to the development of new markets. The winning entry will win US$20,000.
In April 2014, Mr. Thomas C. Graham Sr. donated US$100,000 to establish the T.C. Graham Fund for Innovation in Steel Application. Individuals or groups of individuals (maximum of four people) are encouraged to submit proposals articulating innovation, practical application, performance and marketability of their ideas. Absolute market growth should be the focus of major efforts within each steel company as a matter of supreme urgency. The spirit of this Fund is to catalyze these efforts by encouraging companies to take an active role in supporting the market development initiatives of their employees.
Tom C. Graham Sr. is widely known as one of the steel industry's most successful and innovative executives. A former draftsman and civil engineer, he was named president of Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. (J&L) in 1974. In 10 years, he took the company through a merger with Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co., and then an acquisition of Crucible Steel's Midland plant. He departed J&L in 1983 to restructure United States Steel Corporation, where he served as president of the U. S. Steel Group of USX Corp. until 1991. Over that period, finished products went from 8 man-hours per ton down to 4 man-hours per ton, contributing to a dramatic swing in profitability for the company. Graham had similar results as chairman and CEO of Washington Steel Co. (1991–1992).
From 1992 to 1994, Graham was president and CEO of Armco Steel Co. L.P., predecessor of AK Steel. He was the founder and served as chairman and chief executive officer of AK Steel Corp. (1994–1995), and remained as chairman until his retirement in 1997. After his arrival at Armco Steel in 1992, the company went from being the least profitable U.S. steel company to earning the most profit per ton, and producing steel with the fewest man-hours per ton of any of its major competitors over the following five years. He is now with TC Graham Associates as a founding member.
All entries must be submitted by 31 December 2014, and the winner(s) will be announced in the fall of 2015. Full details and information can be found on the T.C. Graham Prize Web page, or contact Chris McKelvey for questions.
AIST is a non-profit technical association of 16,500 members from 70 countries, with the mission to advance the technical development, production, processing and application of iron and steel. The organization is recognized as a global leader in networking, education and sustainability programs for advancing iron and steel technology.
Tom C. Graham Sr. is widely known as one of the steel industry's most successful and innovative executives. A former draftsman and civil engineer, he was named president of Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. (J&L) in 1974. In 10 years, he took the company through a merger with Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co., and then an acquisition of Crucible Steel's Midland plant. He departed J&L in 1983 to restructure United States Steel Corporation, where he served as president of the U. S. Steel Group of USX Corp. until 1991. Over that period, finished products went from 8 man-hours per ton down to 4 man-hours per ton, contributing to a dramatic swing in profitability for the company. Graham had similar results as chairman and CEO of Washington Steel Co. (1991–1992).
From 1992 to 1994, Graham was president and CEO of Armco Steel Co. L.P., predecessor of AK Steel. He was the founder and served as chairman and chief executive officer of AK Steel Corp. (1994–1995), and remained as chairman until his retirement in 1997. After his arrival at Armco Steel in 1992, the company went from being the least profitable U.S. steel company to earning the most profit per ton, and producing steel with the fewest man-hours per ton of any of its major competitors over the following five years. He is now with TC Graham Associates as a founding member.
All entries must be submitted by 31 December 2014, and the winner(s) will be announced in the fall of 2015. Full details and information can be found on the T.C. Graham Prize Web page, or contact Chris McKelvey for questions.
AIST is a non-profit technical association of 16,500 members from 70 countries, with the mission to advance the technical development, production, processing and application of iron and steel. The organization is recognized as a global leader in networking, education and sustainability programs for advancing iron and steel technology.
