Timothy R. Duke, Steel of West Virginia Inc.'s veteran chief executive, said he’ll retire at year’s end, concluding a 31-year career with the company.

In a statement, Duke said his retirement will take effect 31 December, but he will continue to advise the long products manufacturer through his consulting business. 

Duke has served as the company’s chief executive since October 1996. During that time, he helped to improve the plant’s safety record. According to Duke, the plant recorded 116 lost-time injures in 1996, a number that fell to zero in 2012, and again in 2015 and 2016. 

Duke will be succeeded by meltshop superintendent Mark Gilliam, also a longtime Steel of West Virginia manager.

“The employees and families of everyone who works for the entities who operate under Steel of West Virginia Inc. and the vendors who support these operations are very fortunate to have had Tim Duke at the helm of these businesses," said Gilliam.

"In an era when other manufacturers have shuttered operations, Tim Duke has continued to guide the companies which make up Steel of West Virginia to make steel products safely and profitably.”