Ellwood Group names new CEO

The board of directors of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania-based Ellwood Group Inc. has elected Bentraum D. Huffman as president and CEO of the company, effective Jan. 1. Huffman previously served as chief operating officer of the scrap-consuming metal castings and forgings firm.

Huffman started with Ellwood Group in 2003 as controller of its National Forge subsidiary and was appointed chief financial officer of the parent company in 2009.

“Ellwood’s team of hard-working, creative and dedicated employees is second to none,” says Huffman. “I am confident that our collective efforts will advance Ellwood as we endeavor to be the world’s leading low-cost, high-quality producer of specialty materials and engineered components.”

David Evans Barensfeld has retired as president and CEO of Ellwood after 35 years in that job. Barensfeld, who is the controlling shareholder of Ellwood, will continue as chair of company’s board.

“Ben is highly qualified for his new job,” states Barensfeld. “During his time at Ellwood, Ben has learned in depth about all our plants and operations—melting, forging, heat-treating, machining, distribution— our employees and customers, and the industries they serve. He excels in his commercial role and brings excellent planning, strategic and organizational skills to his new job.”

On its website, Ellwood Group says of its iron and steel operations that “all the products we make at Ellwood are made in America with recycled steel.”

In September 2018, it was reported the company is seeking tax abatements to build an aluminum casting facility near its ironmaking facility in Hubbard, Ohio, in northeast Ohio.