AK Steel recently honored six of its suppliers as part of its "2005 Supplier of the Year" program.

Awards were announced during the steelmaker's second annual Key Supplier Meeting, held in West Chester, Ohio, on December 2, 2005. The event was attended by representatives of AK Steel's 100 largest suppliers, based on the dollar value of the commodities and services provided. The suppliers represented over $2 billion in goods and services purchased annually by the company.

AK Steel selected the following companies for the award based on their outstanding service, value and strategic support of the steelmaker's business plan:

• Considar, Inc., New York, N.Y. (ferro-alloys).
• ESM II, LP, Amherst, N.Y. (cored wire, caster segment repairs and desulphurization products and services).
• Fleetwood Signode, Addison, Ill. (packaging equipment and steel coil packaging supplies).
• Keywell, LLC, Chicago, Ill. (stainless and titanium scrap).
• Pittsburgh Logistics Systems, Inc., Rochester, Pa. (transportation logistics services for truck, rail, barge and ocean shipments).
• Tube City, LLC, Glassport, Pa. (carbon steel scrap).

"Each of our award recipients helped AK Steel achieve its strategic goals during 2005," said James L. Wainscott, President and CEO of AK Steel. "These
companies delivered quality products and services to AK Steel, while finding innovative ways to provide significant cost savings at the same time."

AK Steel's Key Supplier Meeting is part of the company's ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with its key suppliers.

Headquartered in Middletown, Ohio, AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel products, as well as carbon and stainless tubular steel products, for automotive, appliance, construction and manufacturing markets.