In Mexico, Heckett MultiServ has been awarded new responsibilities for scrap handling and slag pot carrying services at the Atlax (Sidenor) works, expanding an eight-year relationship that already included metal recovery and other services.
In Brazil, Heckett MultiServ will assume added responsibilities for on-site scrap management services as part of an expanded contract with Acesita, South America's sole producer of special flat stainless and silicon steels. Acesita is controlled by the Usinor Group, a large steelmaker. Heckett MultiServ will be responsible for handling and stocking incoming scrap materials for the mill and transporting designated scrap menus to the mill's melt shop for use in the steelmaking process.
Also in Brazil, Heckett MultiServ has been awarded an all-new contract at the Vallourec & Mannesmann steel works to provide on-site material transport services of finished and semi-finished products. V & M do BRASIL is the largest supplier of steel tubes in Brazil and a major exporter throughout Latin America. The award, Heckett MultiServ's first at the V & M works, comes as part of the mill's strategy to consolidate its service providers, reduce costs through new technology, and increase productivity.
In Chile, Heckett MultiServ finalized a new contract at Noranda's Altonorte copper smelting facility under which Heckett MultiServ will provide slag pot carrying services to support the plant's production requirements and efficiency. In November of 1998, Noranda announced a $170 million expansion of Altonorte, scheduled to be completed early in 2003, which is expected to nearly double the plant's annual copper production. The Altonorte contract marks Heckett MultiServ's first award for similar responsibilities within the South American copper industry.
"Our expanding market presence in Mexico and South America and the strategically important relationships we have developed with that region's leading producers reinforce our optimism for future growth opportunities in this fundamentally strong geographic sector," said Heckett MultiServ - West Region Heckett operates at more than 160 mill locations throughout the world.