SMDI Honors Heimbuch for Auto/Steel Partnership Role
05/05/2011 - The Steel Market Development Institute announced Dr. Roger Heimbuch as recipient of the 2011 Market Development Industry Leadership Award for his work in the Auto/Steel Partnership as well as his contributions to increasing the use of AHSS in the automotive marketplace.
The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) announced Dr. Roger Heimbuch as recipient of the 2011 Market Development Industry Leadership Award for his management role in the Auto/Steel Partnership as well as his contributions to increasing the use of advanced
high-strength steels (AHSS) in the automotive marketplace.
SMDI’s Market Development Industry Leadership Award – which is presented each year to steel partners or customers – recognizes those who have made significant contributions to advancing the competitive use of steel in the marketplace as a direct result of Market Development initiatives.
Nominees are chosen by the SMDI board of directors.
"Through his work with the Auto/Steel Partnership, Roger has been instrumental in advancing steel as the automotive material of choice in North America," said SMDI Chairman Daniel G. Mull, who is Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for ArcelorMittal USA LLC. "The Partnership has produced several technical innovations that have revolutionized the way that cars are designed, making them more fuel efficient while keeping them affordable for consumers.
“Roger's leadership helped to secure the funding and technical expertise that increased the use of advanced high-strength steel technologies in the marketplace,” added Mull.
According to Mull, Heimbuch helped to secure funding from the National Science Foundation, which together with the U.S. Department of Energy and the Auto/Steel Partnership, provided $3 million for research to be conducted at nine universities to develop a new generation of AHSS grades.
Heimbuch served as Executive Director of the Auto/Steel Partnership from 2004 through 2010 after retiring from General Motors Co. In this capacity, he provided coordination and guidance on programs that combined the work of automotive customers with the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Advanced Materials Program and the SMDI's Automotive Applications Council steel companies in research projects supporting the use of AHSS for vehicle mass reduction and improved safety.
Heimbuch was honored at the American Iron and Steel Institute's 118th General Meeting Tuesday, May 3 in Colorado Springs. He will be presented with the award later this month during the 10th Annual Great Designs in Steel Seminar at Laurel Manor Conference Center in Livonia, Mich.
The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute, grows and maintains the use of steel through strategies that promote cost-effective solutions in the automotive, construction and container markets, as well as for new growth opportunities in emerging steel markets. SMDI investors include:
· AK Steel Corp.
· ArcelorMittal Dofasco
· ArcelorMittal USA LLC
· Nucor Corp.
· SSAB Americas
· ThyssenKrupp Steel USA, LLC
· United States Steel Corp.
· USS-POSCO Industries
