| Press Releases |
|
|
United States Steel Launches Straightline - A New Steel Distribution BusinessPRNewswire Straightline Makes Use of Advanced Information Technology to Improve
Steel Procurement for Customers of All Sizes
Straightline Creates 100 New High-Technology Jobs in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- United States Steel LLC (NYSE: X), the nation's largest steelmaker, today announced the launch of Straightline Source, the first steel distribution business created to serve customers of all sizes who do not typically buy directly from steel producers. Building on U. S. Steel's recognized leadership in supply chain technology, Straightline's fully integrated order input system, advanced inventory management and progressive logistics technology are networked to create a direct buying option for processed steel products. While managing the customer relationship, Straightline makes use of the processing capacity of a network of qualified partners. Straightline will begin offering processed steel products in North Carolina, South Carolina and eastern Tennessee this month. Additional regional launches will continue throughout 2001 and 2002. Straightline's business process is designed to reduce customers' total cost of material acquisition by maximizing efficiencies associated with inventory management, material utilization, logistics, planning and order processing. Customers can receive instantaneous price quotes and place orders directly with Straightline, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through the Internet or by phone. "We believe that Straightline will provide a better way of doing business in the steel distribution industry," said Thomas J. Usher, chairman and CEO of USX Corporation. "Our launch of Straightline is one more example of U. S. Steel's commitment to developing new ways of doing business that focus on cost, quality and service to the customer." Initially, Straightline will specialize in carbon flat-rolled steel, with plans to expand into other materials based on customer demand. Its easy-to-use website, http://www.straightline.com/, allows customers to configure processed products to their own specifications or select from a stock of finished goods. Straightline takes responsibility for the entire transaction, including quotation, order placement, steel sourcing, inventory management, delivery and claims. From a single plant operation to multi-location operations having complex steel requirements, Straightline can support the full spectrum of customer procurement needs. U. S. Steel spent several months planning, developing and testing Straightline, including a comprehensive pilot program initiated with a small group of customers beginning in July 2001. The program, facilitated by Straightline's processor network, focused on refining the total customer experience through the entire supply chain process. Straightline has assembled a diverse team with broad experience from inside and outside the steel industry. In addition to talent from steel producers and steel service centers, Straightline's team includes e-business experience from software development, industrial distribution and service industries. Straightline plans to continue to expand nationally throughout 2002, adding new products and services based on customer demand and market opportunities. Straightline has created about 100 new, high-technology jobs in Pittsburgh. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Straightline Source is a division of United States Steel LLC. Straightline specializes in distributing carbon flat-roll steel, offering a variety of hot roll, cold roll and galvanized products to customers of all sizes. These products are available in slit coil, stock sheets and custom cut-to-length sheets. For more information about Straightline, visit our website at http://www.straightline.com/. For more information about U. S. Steel, visit our website at http://www.usx.com/ or http://www.ussteel.com/. Visit USX Corporation's web site at http://www.usx.com/. USX Corporation press releases are available through Company News On-Call at http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/929150.html. SOURCE: United States Steel LLC Contact: Tom Ferrall, +1-412-433-6899, or John Armstrong, Website: http://www.usx.com/ Website: http://www.ussteel.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/929150.html |
||