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ArcelorMittal Helps Automotive Customer in Recovery Effort
10/03/2011 - As Honda's largest North American steel supplier, ArcelorMittal USA decided to support the automaker following the devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami that hit the northeast coast of Japan in March 2011.
As Honda's largest North American steel supplier, ArcelorMittal USA decided to support the automaker following the devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami that hit the northeast coast of Japan in March 2011.
"Honda contacted us almost immediately to let us know their North American operations would be operating at or around 50% of normal beginning in the last week of March," said Jack Anderson, ArcelorMittal USA Global Account Manager for Honda. "They also advised us that their efforts to overcome the issues created by the crisis in Japan would continue for an undetermined length of time, ultimately having a negative impact on their North American operations."
To help support Honda, ArcelorMittal ensured that manufacturing line time was available for Honda's unique products and made sure that appropriate levels of stock were in place to meet their steel demand needs.
"Honda agreed to receive their master coil forecast at 100% in April and May and then we arranged to hold half of their stamping plant inventory until they recovered," Anderson explained. "At the same time, we are taking steps to ensure we are positioned to help Honda recover as much lost production in North America as possible once their Japanese-based supply issues are resolved and they begin production ramp-up later this year."
Dan Mull, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, ArcelorMittal USA, said, "The strong, long-term relationship between Honda and ArcelorMittal USA, along with our ability to work through challenging situations such as the Japan crisis, serve as an example of our many efforts to create added value for our customers. If we are to establish ourselves as a supplier of choice, we must continue creating such value for our customers, doing all we can to offer more than simply selling them our products."
