TMS International Corp., the parent company of Tube City IMS Corporation, a leading provider of outsourced industrial services to steel mills globally, announced it has opened trading offices in Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Miami, Fla.; and Austin, Texas.

These offices mark the company’s first formal trading group presence in Brazil and Florida, said J. David Aronson, President and Chief Operating Officer of the company’s Raw Material and Optimization Group, noting the offices are in strategic geographies from which the company can better serve both its domestic and international customers and partners.

"The opening of the office in Brazil is a key step in TMS International’s increasing globalization. We look forward to better serving Brazil’s rapidly increasing demand for raw material and steel mill services," Mr. Aronson said.

Leading the Belo Horizonte office is Carlos Crego as General Manager of the company’s Raw Material and Optimization Group in Brazil. Mr. Crego has more than 25 years of trading experience in iron ore, pig iron and scrap. He will be responsible for trading and expanding the company’s trading operations in Brazil. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Crego was a partner at Ironmar Exports and Logistics Ltda in Brazil. He has also worked at Acesita and at Ferrobrasil Trading S.A., in Brazil. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Catholic University of Minas Gerais in Brazil.

"Carlos has a wealth of experience in trading and the steel industry and we welcome him to the company," Mr. Aronson said.

Mr. Aronson said the Miami office will support the company’s offices in Belo Horizonte, Monterrey, Mexico, and throughout Latin America. The Miami office is led by Hideto Hata, Director of Outsource Purchasing and Sales for Central and South America.

Leading the Texas office is Rick Groenert as Trader. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Groenert worked at several large U.S. metals trading companies. He attended the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, IN.

"The Texas office is integral to the company’s initiatives to expand its market in the Southwest U.S.," Mr. Aronson said. "Rick will be responsible for strategic planning, procurement and business development in the region and will also support the company’s trading offices in Granite City, IL; Fairfield, AL; Salt Lake City, UT; and Monterrey, Mexico. He is an experienced trader, and we are pleased to welcome him to the team."