Midrex Technologies, Inc. announced that James D. McClaskey has been appointed as the company's new Chief Executive Officer.

McClaskey, who has spent 30 years with Midrex and affiliated companies, now serves as both President and Chief Executive Officer responsible for operations of the company. He replaces Winston L. Tennies, former CEO, who has recently retired from Midrex after more than 38 years of service and leadership.

Midrex Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Kobe Steel, Ltd., Japan, is a global process technology and engineering company based in Charlotte, N.C. The company is principally known for the Midrex^® Direct Reduction Process that converts iron ore into high-purity direct reduced iron (DRI) for use in steelmaking, ironmaking, and foundry applications. Midrex Plants produce over two-thirds of the world's DRI. New technologies include the eco-friendly coal-based Fastmet^®, Fastmelt^®, and Fasteel^(tm) Processes, and ITmk3^®, a breakthrough process for producing a pig iron substitute material. In addition to the iron and steel industry, Midrex is also involved in process technologies for the environmental, energy, and non-ferrous metals markets.