MidWest Materials announced the completion of a multi-million dollar technology, equipment and facility investment project that will enable the company to remain competitive worldwide and to retain and create more jobs in Northeast Ohio. The announcement was part of MidWest Materials’ 60th Anniversary Celebration, which honored the company founders and set a strategic focus for the steel service center as it enters a new era in the industry.

"I am proud to be representing my family who established MidWest Materials as a leader in the steel service center industry. My grandfather, his brothers and my mother were pioneers, laying a blueprint for what has become the successful, non-mill owned, steel distribution industry of today. As we mark our 60th Anniversary with the completion of this multi-million dollar project, we are maintaining this family tradition of leadership with the installation of the most innovative and largest Leveltek Stretch Leveling System in North America. This sets a new standard for the industry," said Brian Robbins, CEO, MidWest Materials.

The addition to MidWest Materials’ 240,000 square-foot facility includes the new 1,400-ton Leveltek Stretch Leveling System which provides the industry with flat, memory-free cut sheet steel up to 5/8" thick and 100" wide, from mild to ultra-high strength. The system meets the growing demand by manufacturers for the highest quality leveled sheet steel required by their newer, more sophisticated manufacturing and processing techniques. In addition, MidWest invested in new Peterbilt trucks for the company fleet, replaced facility lighting with new, energy efficient fixtures, made property improvements and upgraded facility equipment and technology.

"We know that in order to remain competitive in today’s global marketplace, we must continue to listen to our customers’ needs and quickly find efficient solutions. That has long been the hallmark of our company’s success. In keeping with our company’s history, we are leading the way to help MidWest Materials and others, including our vendors and customers, make the changes necessary to maintain business, control internal costs and keep jobs in this country," said Robbins.

MidWest Materials was co-founded by Joseph Koppelman in 1952 in a one-room facility in Cleveland. Joseph Koppelman, who passed away in September at age 94, was often referred to as one of the architects of the Cleveland Steel Industry. He was widely considered a key leader in the steel service center industry. As one of the early founding members of the Association of Steel Distributors (ASD), he served as the organization’s president from 1968-1970. Koppelman also was awarded ASD’s highest honor, Steel Man of the Year, in 1962.

Following Joseph Koppelman as CEO, his daughter, Noreen Koppelman Goldstein, was named President in 1995. She was announced as one of the 2011 Women of Note by Crain’s Cleveland Business and is the immediate Past President of the Lake County Bar Association. Serving as the third generation, Robbins began with the company in 1996 after relocating from New York City where he worked as a corporate attorney. He was named CEO in 2002. Robbins currently serves as the Executive Vice President of ASD and recently received the organization’s President’s Award for his service to the industry.

"I share a deep saddness with my grandmother, my mother and family that my grandfather – Joe Koppelman – is not here for this celebration of our company’s success and the excitement we feel as we look toward the next 60 years. During his memorial, I heard the words ‘entrepreneur,’ ‘smart,’ and ‘always looking ahead.’ Those are some of the traits he instilled in all involved with this company and are the inspiration for our strategic marketing plan for the future," Robbins said.

To remain competitive, MidWest launched a new strategic marketing plan, which includes a new corporate identity program, logo and website. These efforts place the company at the forefront of industry competitiveness and support its efforts to enter new markets.

The announcement was part of a three-day celebration of the company’s long-standing vision and commitment to its employees, vendors, customers and community. As part of the celebration, MidWest Materials employees presented Robbins with a steel guitar, which they had made to honor MidWest’s leadership in the steel industry and the city of Cleveland, which is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.