Lakeside Steel celebrates 100 yearsLakeside Steel celebrates 100 years of operations in Welland
WELLAND, ON, Sept. 18 /CNW/ - Lakeside Steel Inc.("Lakeside Steel" or the "Company") (TSX-V: LS) this week celebrated100 years of operations at its facility in Welland Ontario. In honor ofthis extraordinary achievement, Lakeside Steel hosted a day-longcelebration to mark this historic event at its facility in Welland,Ontario on Wednesday September 16, 2009.
The History of Lakeside Steel's Welland Facility
Lakeside Steel's business has a long and rich history in thepipe and tube manufacturing sector. Operations at the Wellandfacilities began in 1909 under the ownership of the Page-Hersey IronTube & Lead Company. Over the years, the business expanded, addingnew mills and replacing old ones as technology evolved. The Wellandbusiness not only persevered through two World Wars, it provided vitalsupport services to both World War efforts. During WW II, the facilitysupplied shell forgings, boiler tubing for the naval effort, and pipefor the production of aircraft frames, bazooka guns and mortars.
In 1965, Stelco Inc., Canada's then largest steel company, purchasedPage-Hersey Iron Tube & Lead Company and, in 1985, the Wellandfacility became Stelpipe Ltd. Under the Stelpipe banner, the businessunderwent significant modernization and expanded in various pipe andtube markets including commercial and industrial pipe, automotive,mining and oil and gas. On November 1, 2005, Lakeside Steel Corporation purchased the Welland facility from Stelco and a new company was born.
The Centennial Celebration
The centennial celebration began with a ribbon cutting ceremonyfor Lakeside Steel's new upset and thread line. On hand to officiallyopen the new upset and thread line were Lakeside Steel's President andChief Operating Officer,Ron Bedard, together withCanadian Auto Workers National President, Ken Lewenza. The opening ofthe upset and thread line represents the culmination of LakesideSteel's $5 million investment and will add 40 new jobs as well as repatriate work that had previously been performed for the Company in the United States.
A ceremonial last "gold spike" was driven in byRon Bedard,signifying the re-establishment of rail access on the property. Theonsite rail access is an important investment by Lakeside Steel thatwill be available to bring the Company's products, including the newupset and thread products, to market. The Company expects to beshipping product by rail directly from the Welland facility within thecoming months.
An extensive open air ceremony in front of Lakeside Steel's mainoffice, consisting of the dedications of a commemorative plaque andhistorical monument; the sealing of a time capsule constructed fromLakeside pipe; and speeches by management, local and national labourrepresentatives, political representatives from the federal,provincial, regional and municipal levels, along with other localdignitaries. Of note was the powerful speech delivered by 90 year oldformer employee and United Electrical Workers Union Representative,Mike Bosnich, one of many current and former employees and theirrespective families attending the celebration. Many of the Company'scustomers and suppliers were also in attendance. The celebrationcontinued throughout the afternoon and included a barbecue and theCompany estimates that overall attendance exceeded 500 people.
Ron Bedardexpressed the Company's gratitude to itspast and current employees, customers and also for the support shown bysuppliers and all levels of Canadian Government for their roles inhelping Lakeside Steel to stay competitive.
Ron Bedardstated, "Lakeside Steel is poised totake advantage of the inevitable improvement in economic conditions andwe will continue to invest in this business and the region in pursuitof another 100 years of operations here in Welland."