NZ Steel Named Amcham Export Of The Year

New Zealand Steel Named Amcham Export Of The Year – Goods - Old Fashioned Customer Commitment Gets The Credit

New Zealand Steel credits its commitment and adherence to the principles of “good old fashioned customer service” for the success of its steel exports to the United States, which last night saw it named as the American Chamber of Commerce’s Exporter of the Year - Goods.

New Zealand Steel exports to the west coast of the United States have grown in value by more than 120% in the past five years, from $45.1 million in 2002 to $101.6 million in 2006. The forecast for the coming year is over $110 million.

As a result of export growth the number of ships delivering product to the West Coast has increased from 12 in 2002 to 21 in 2006.

The company’s reliability and flexibility allows it to command a small premium over the general market for steel.

The President of New Zealand Steel, Bill Jacob says the company’s export success to United States is due wholly to adhering to the basics of exporting.

“We have successfully delivered quality product through many adverse conditions including North American tariffs, adverse exchange rates and some difficult quality requirements from our customer base.

“Central to the success we enjoy today, is the way we have remained with our customers through the peaks and troughs by working with them to find solutions to make our product meet their special needs.

“With the support of our parent company, BlueScope Steel, who operates offices in North America, we have continued to supply customers even during periods when profitability has been seriously challenged. We did this even though it may have made greater economic sense to suspend supply. I’m pleased to say this loyalty has been rewarded during better times.

“This customer service philosophy, where our customers are our strength is an important ingredient of the BlueScope Steel set of guiding principles - ‘Our Bond”, and has given us business export growth that otherwise would not have been achieved.”

Mr Jacob said that New Zealand Steel is a very small steel-maker by global standards, which we have developed as a competitive advantage in the West Coast market.

“Our ability to supply small tonnages in a variety of sizes fits well with these customers who have difficulty accepting the large coil and minimum tonnages required by larger steel companies.

“We have also worked with customers to develop and apply a coating to prevent rusting during shipping that does not interfere with their processing.”

Mr Jacob says the export award represents a total team effort at New Zealand’s largest manufacturing site at Glenbrook, south of Auckland, and one of which everyone could be proud. All employees should be congratulated and of course we thank our customers for their continued support.

About a third of New Zealand Steel’s total exports go to the West Coast of the US.

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