SSAB Americas' Top Executive Chuck Schmitt Awarded Highest Honor in North American Steel Industry

SSAB (STO:SSABA) (STO:SSABB) (HEX:SSABAH) (HEX:SSABBH):

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has announced that Chuck Schmitt, president of SSAB Americas, is the 2016 recipient of the Gary Memorial Medal—the industry’s highest honor. Schmitt, the Institute’s immediate past chairman, was recognized with the award during AISI’s 124th General Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah.

"Chuck is an outstanding leader for AISI and for the entire steel industry in North America,” said Martin Lindqvist, CEO of SSAB AB. "His hard work continues to help strengthen the role of steel in American manufacturing. I am proud to have him represent SSAB and congratulate him on this prestigious award.”

The Gary Memorial Medal is presented annually to recognize an individual for his or her remarkable lifelong contributions to the North American steel industry.

The medal’s inscription reads, "For his outstanding leadership in representing the critical public policy interests of the Institute and American manufacturing in a period of tremendous challenge; [and] for his unwavering commitment of time and energy to matters that will impact the future of the North American steel industry, the Institute and the people we support and serve to keep our vital industry strong.”

Schmitt served as chairman of the AISI Board of Directors from May 2015 through May 2016 and chaired a number of board-level committees. He was elected to the AISI Board of Directors in 2011. He will remain as an officer of the AISI Board for another year.

"It has been my honor to help lead policy and market-related activities at AISI both as a member and as chairman,” said Schmitt. "I am humbled to receive this prestigious award for doing the very work for which I am so passionate. While we’ve made measureable strides as an industry, we still have work to do, especially in regards to fair trade. I look forward to continuing to work together with my colleagues in the steel industry to ensure steel remains the backbone of the American economy.”

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology.

SSAB is a Nordic and US-based steel company. SSAB offers value added products and services developed in close cooperation with its customers to create a stronger, lighter and more sustainable world. SSAB has employees in over 50 countries. SSAB has production facilities in Sweden, Finland and the US. SSAB is listed on the Nasdaq OMX Nordic Exchange in Stockholm and has a secondary listing on the Nasdaq OMX in Helsinki. www.ssab.com.

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