Economy

SMDI Announces Dr. Jody Hall as New Head of Automotive Programs
Written by Sandy Williams
August 5, 2014
The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) announced that Dr. Jody N. Hall will succeed Ronald P. Krupitzer as Vice President Automotive Market following Mr. Krupitzer’s retirement at the end of the year.
Dr. Hall is a former Technical Integration Engineer at General Motors Company Global Body Manufacturing Center in Warren, Mich. She received her doctorate in Materials and Sciences and Engineering from the University of Michigan, under a General Motors Fellowship in 1994 and has focused much of her career on applying new steels and manufacturing techniques in automotive applications. Her previous experience includes roles on the GM Global Sheet Metal Specialists Team, Auto/Steel Partnership, Galvanizing AutoBody Partnership, and the Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Center (ASPPRC) at Colorado School of Mines.
Thomas J. Gibson, president and CEO of AISI, said, “Our auto market division is aggressive and fast-paced, and we are pioneering technological advances in auto steel. Dr. Hall will be an outstanding leader as we meet the challenges of competing materials head on. We look forward to her breadth of knowledge and expertise in driving this critical market division.”
Note: Ron Krupitzer, who has held the position of VP of Automotive Market for the past 13 years, will be one of SMU’s speakers at the Steel Summit Conference to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, Sept 3 & 4.

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Economy

ArcelorMittal plans wire-drawing closure in Hamilton, shifts production to Montreal
ArcelorMittal’s (AM) Hamilton location to be shuttered, wire production shifting to Montreal.
Beige Book finds growing economic, policy uncertainty
All districts reported "hesitancy and a cautious approach to business and household decisions,” according to the Beige Book.

ISM: Manufacturing continues to contract in May
May marks the third consecutive month US manufacturing activity declined, according to supply executives contributing to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM)’s latest report.

Chicago PMI decreases 4.1 points in May
The Chicago Business Barometer reports that decreases in new orders, order backlogs, and softer production pulled the index down by 4.1-points to 40.5, in May.

Architecture firms struggle through April
For the third month in a row, architecture firms reported a reduction in billings through April, according to the latest Architecture Billings Index release.