www.brown.house.gov

Congressman Henry E. Brown
Contact: Ladd Hall (843) 336-6000


Nucor Honors Rep. Brown as 'Man of Steel'

Company Recognizes Congressman for Stance on Fair Trade

Huger, SC, Nov 3 -

Nucor Steel-Berkeley today presented its “Man of Steel” Award to U.S. Congressman Henry E. Brown (R-SC). The honor recognizes Brown for his leadership in the Congress to strengthen American manufacturing and his support for fair trade.

Nucor Steel Berkeley Vice President and General Manager Ladd Hall commended Brown’s efforts on issues affecting American manufacturers such as international currency manipulation, and illegal dumping of foreign products in U.S. markets, as well as domestic issues such as energy policy and tort reform.

“Nucor recognizes Congressman Brown’s hard work in the U.S. House of Representatives on behalf of American manufacturers and the working men and women of South Carolina,” said Hall. “We also recognize and thank him for speaking out clearly and forthrightly on behalf of fair trade. Congressman Brown has proven time and again to be an effective voice for the working men and women of South Carolina’s manufacturing sector, and his voting record reflects his commitment.”

Hall noted that Rep. Brown recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to testify on behalf of South Carolina’s steel industry before the International Trade Commission (ITC).

“The work of the ITC is important to restoring strength to the enforcement of international trade laws and trade agreements, and Rep. Brown spoke forcefully to the urgent need to keep American manufacturing strong as we face floods of imports and unfair trading practices.”

In accepting the award, Brown said that it is important for South Carolina’s Congressional delegation to be effective advocates for fair trade. “Our state’s economy and our working families have depended for generations on our diverse and productive manufacturing industries. South Carolina workers and South Carolina factories can compete on quality and cost with the best in the world – when the playing field is kept level,” said Brown. “We must continue to press on all sides to restore that level playing field.”

According to figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 3 million American manufacturing jobs have been lost since 1998. Almost 90,000 of those jobs belonged to South Carolina workers, representing a net loss of more than 26 percent of all factory jobs in the state.

Manufacturing is a major contributor to the state’s economy. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 20 percent of South Carolina’s gross state product (GSP) comes from manufacturing. Only nine states have a larger share of their GSP come from manufacturing.

Nucor Corporation and affiliates manufacture steel products, with operating facilities in seventeen states, and Nucor is the nation’s largest recycler. Products include: carbon and alloy steel - in bars, beams, sheet and plate; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; cold finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; and light gauge steel framing. Nucor Steel - Berkeley is part of Nucor's Sheet Mill Group, which produces flat-rolled steel for appliances, pipes and tubes, construction, automotive and other industries. Nucor employs more than 1,800 people at its four South Carolina locations. Nucor’s other South Carolina facilities are Nucor Steel – South Carolina and Nucor Cold Finish, both in Darlington, Vulcraft – South Carolina in Florence, and Nucor Building Systems – South Carolina in Swansea.