TPi January 2011

news business & market

Esmark Steel acquires assets of Kelco Metals

Esmark Steel Group, the wholly-owned steel services subsidiary of diversified holding company Esmark Inc, has announced that it has acquired the assets of value-added steel distributor Kelco Metals Inc for more than $9mn. With annual revenue of approximately $45mn, Kelco Metals specialises in hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated steel products, serving OEM manufacturers engaged in the agricultural equipment, office equipment, retail display, tools, shelving and lighting fixture industries. The company, which has been in business for more than 17 years, maintains offices in Schaumburg, Illinois and Charleston, South Carolina. The acquisition of Kelco Metals’ steel distribution assets will not only expand Esmark Steel Group’s footprint to the south-eastern United States, it will also INTRAS Ltd, publisher of leading international trade journals for the tube & pipe and wire & cable industries, has appointed a new marketing executive for its quarterly international tube industry title, Tube Products INTERNATIONAL magazine. Tracey Callaghan, who has almost 20 years’ experience in sales andmarketing, will be developing the magazine’s international profile and taking care of advertising sales for tube and pipe clients. Based at the UK headquarters of INTRAS Ltd, Tracey will be responsible for the UK, as well as English speaking clients within Europe, the Middle East and parts of Asia. “INTRAS provides advertisers with unrivalled support in terms of corporate and promotional marketing, enhanced sales and promoting brand awareness through all the magazines, and at trade exhibitions across the world,” she said. “A great advantage for our advertisers is the strong links we have – and the unique supporting role we play – with many international trade fair organisers and exhibition owners. Our 26 years’

contribute revenue and customers as Esmark continues towards its 2011 revenue goal of $300mn. James P Bouchard, chairman and chief executive officer of Esmark Inc, said the acquisition of Kelco Metals is a strong strategic fit with Esmark Steel Group’s portfolio of service centres in the Midwest and north east, and bolsters the company’s rapidly expanding customer base. “Kelco meets our acquisition criteria and opens up new markets for us in the south eastern US. We believe the addition of Kelco’s distribution business will be very complimentary to our growing service centre network.” Earlier this year Esmark Steel Group acquired the assets of Century Steel and Sun Steel in Chicago Heights, Illinois, and Independent Steel in Cleveland, Ohio. All of the service centres are now experience in developing and marketing niche tube and wire industry events, together with our leading industry trade publications, mean no other multi-media group is better positioned for this role.” “I’m looking forward to meeting as many of our clients as I can, getting to know their business needs, what they want from the market and how we can help them develop their business and get them more sales,” said Tracey. INTRAS is a family-owned private limited company whose CEO, John C Hogg, also co-founded the International Tube Association (ITA) and the International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA), the world’s largest corporate membership association for the wire, cable and wire products industries. Managing director Caroline Sullens added that the company maintains the finest database of tube and wire related industrycontactsandcompanydata, and offers marketing and support services to trade fair organisers wishing to develop or enhance sales of exhibition space or the promotion of visitor attendance at worldwide trade events.

wholly owned subsidiaries of Esmark Steel Group, headquartered in Chicago, and will join Chicago Steel & Iron (formerly Amtex Steel Inc) in the Esmark Steel Group service centre portfolio. Thomas Modrowski, chief executive officer of Esmark Steel Group, said Kelco’s customer base and strong distribution network in the Midwest and south eastern US were key factors in the acquisition: “Kelco has a very diverse customer base across multiple industries and we see significant synergies with our existing operations and customer base as the economy improves in 2011. Kelco also has a strong management and sales team that will help us penetrate the south eastern US marketplace.”

Esmark Inc – USA www.esmark.com

New marketing executive joins the Tube Products INTERNATIONAL magazine team

Tracey Callaghan of TPi

Through its range of publications and industry services, INTRAS provides clients with excellent customer support in terms of corporate and promotional marketing, enhancing sales and promoting brand awareness. INTRAS Ltd – UK +44 1926 834688 tracey@intras.co.uk www.tubeproductsinternational.com

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Tube Products International January 2011

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