Aug. 16, 2006 — As part of its ongoing effort to strategically align the company's flat products division, Arcelor Mittal has announced changes in senior leadership positions within Mittal Steel USA, including the immediate reassignment of Lou Schorsch to the position of CEO Flat Products, Americas.

Schorsch, who had previously served as President and CEO of Mittal Steel USA, will report to Aditya Mittal, CFO of Arcelor Mittal, who has overall responsibility for Flat Products Americas. In this new role, Schorsch will lead the integration and executive management of flat-rolled operations in the Americas. This includes integration and oversight responsibilities for CST and Vega do Sol in Brazil, Mittal Steel Lazaro Cardenas in Mexico, Mittal Steel USA, and the flat-rolled operations of Mittal Steel Canada.

Commenting, Aditya Mittal, said, "We believe there are tremendous operational opportunities and strategic and synergy benefits to be captured in the new Arcelor Mittal American flat products division. As a result we have made key senior executive changes designed to ensure that we capture all of these opportunities in the optimum time frame. Arcelor Mittal is the largest producer of high quality flat steels in Europe and the Americas. We will also be working to ensure that we take advantage of this profile and maximize the opportunities for cross-continental flow of knowledge, R&D and innovation, in order to further enhance this leading position.

"The appointment of Lou and the management changes at the US operations will be key to achieving a higher level of benefits, as well as performance. Lou has distinguished himself as a proven leader within Mittal Steel and has played a critical role in the successful integration of the ISG acquisition in the U.S. We will look for him to play a pivotal role in the integration of Arcelor Mittal in the America's and capturing the available synergies of the new, enlarged American flat products division."

Mike Rippey has been selected to succeed Schorsch in the role of President and CEO of Mittal Steel USA. Rippey previously served as Executive Vice President — Sales and Marketing, Mittal Steel USA. Rippey brings more than two decades of industry experience and a diverse background to his new position, having previously held responsibility for finance, purchasing, and human resources. In his new role, Rippey will continue to report to Schorsch.

"Mike has made tremendous contributions towards establishing the Mittal Steel brand in the US market and in building a 'best-of-the-best' commercial organization," Schorsch commented. "In his new role he will bring the same mindset and performance orientation to all of Mittal Steel USA, building on the successes we have achieved to date."

Bill Brake, Mittal Steel USA’s Executive Vice President of Operations, will be leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. During his tenure, he made substantial contributions to the integration process and to the development of a strong Mittal USA culture. Len Chuderewicz, who currently heads operations at Mittal Steel–Indiana Harbor, will succeed Brake as Executive Vice President, Operations. Chuderewicz has proven himself to be a valuable leader since joining Mittal Steel from U.S. Steel in 2004.

Rippey's appointment to President and CEO of Mittal Steel USA led to the selection of Dan Mull as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Mittal Steel USA. In this position, Mull will continue to capitalize on the experience he gained as Mittal Steel USA’s Vice President of Marketing, by working closely with Rippey and the entire organization to ensure a successful transition into his new role.

Mittal Steel USA, with its affiliates, is the largest steel producer in North America and the largest integrated steel producer in the United States. It serves a broad U.S. manufacturing base. Formed in April 2005, the company consists of the former Ispat Inland Inc. and the former International Steel Group. It has operations in 12 states.

Arcelor Mittal operates 61 plants across 27 countries, employing some 320,000 employees.