Jan 21 2011
Evraz Inc. NA, a leading North American steel manufacturer serving the flat, long and tubular markets, today announced plans to relocate its headquarters from Portland, Ore. to Chicago, Ill. this June.
Evraz selected Chicago primarily for its logistical advantages, which will provide easier access to customers, manufacturing operations and its employees across North America.
"We believe this relocation supports our strategic vision as a commercially driven enterprise," said Mike Rehwinkel, President and CEO of Evraz North America. "We are focused on how our steel meets our customer's needs. Moving to Chicago will enable us to spend more time with customers, which will help us better understand their needs to deliver the best possible service and value."
The headquarters relocation is part of the Evraz Group ongoing work to transform the North American organization. In 2010, Evraz restructured its manufacturing and sales organization along major product groups—flat-rolled, tubular, and long products—to be more responsive to customers and market conditions. The relocation also supports the company's continuing drive to integrate and create further efficiencies at its manufacturing operations by making it easier for Evraz leadership to travel to its mills and collaborate with employees.
"Evraz will remain an important part of the Oregon manufacturing community through our ongoing operations at our Portland steel mill and the nearly 500 local team members who work there," said Jennifer Murray, Senior Vice President, Organization and Change Management. "We will continue to provide our local customers and business partners with the same high level of responsiveness they have always received from Evraz."
The new headquarters office in downtown Chicago is scheduled to open in late June, with the transition completed by the end of 2011. The company expects to employ approximately 70-80 people in the headquarters office, many of whom will be relocating from Portland. The move does not affect manufacturing operations or staff at other Evraz facilities.