Novelis Wins "CEO" and "Company of the Year" Titles at Platts Global Metals Awards

LONDON, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- It was a dual win for Novelis Inc. at the inaugural Platts Global Metals Awards, which recognize exemplary performance in nearly a dozen categories spanning the entire steel, metals and mining complex. At a black-tie dinner attended by more than 200 metals industry executives, the global aluminum producer and recycling giant received "CEO" and "Metals Company of the Year" honors for its fast financial comeback, its advancements in recycling and other efficiencies, and for the focused leadership that steered its turnaround course.

Eight additional awards were bestowed tonight to companies and individuals in acknowledgement of their respective accomplishments and contributions to the metals industry, with winners hailing from five countries and two continents.

"We are delighted that the finalists and winners of our inaugural Global Metals Awards represent such a wide range of metal industry participants" said Larry Neal, president of Platts, a leading global energy, petrochemical and metals information provider and program host. "With a winning slate of mid-sized, privately held companies and major global corporations, our inaugural awards have gotten off to a great start symbolic of the industry's breadth and depth."

Phil Martens, chief executive officer of Novelis, was selected as CEO of the year in recognition of his leadership in steering the $11 billion company from a loss of nearly $2 billion back into profitability by unifying, solidifying and centralizing operations in less than a year. It was the company's combined stewardship, innovation and wide-ranging leadership that inspired the program's independent panel of judges to select Novelis as "Metals Company of the Year." Novelis was an entrant in several of the Platts Global Metals Awards categories, but to win company of the year, it had to demonstrate that it was a true leader in corporate culture and development of new technologies and had to best the entire list of Global Metals Awards finalists in all awards categories. 

Inaugural Program Acknowledges Innovation, Underscores Exceptional Industry Contributions

"Lifetime Achievement," "End-User Efficiency Initiative" and "Innovative Technology" awards received the most nomination interest of the program's categories, with the latter two attracting an impressive number of "green"-related entries focused on energy efficiency and cost savings in the automotive sector.

ArcelorMittal of Luxembourg received the "Innovative Technology of the Year" title for its light weight, high-strength steel alternative to aluminum. Judges noted that not only has the innovation given the auto industry another choice, but ArcelorMittal's partnership with Ford has also propelled the commercialization of a cold rolled, dual phase steel, known as DP980/550, which by some estimates could revolutionize auto production.

Innovation in operational efficiency is a hallmark of the U.S. steel industry, and it was Ohio-based American Posts that judges selected for the "End-User Efficiency Initiative" award in recognition of its success withstanding global competition and growing its market share from 2% to 20% in short fashion. American Posts is a manufacturer of u-channel metal fence posts.

Winning the "Lifetime Achievement" award was Peter Marcus, a steel securities analyst, consultant and founding partner of World Steel Dynamics. Beginning on Wall Street in 1961, Marcus distinguished himself across a three-decade career at PaineWebber before starting his own company. Judges were impressed by his commitment to the steel industry and his industry education efforts, which have won him respect and recognition from his peers.  

"Financial Deal of the Year" recognition went to the London Metal Exchange (LME) for its acceptance of Hong Kong Exchange's bid, reported to be one of the most expensive exchange mergers in excess of $1 billion and one which gives LME access to China, the world's largest purchaser of metals. 

Winners of the "Industry Leadership Awards," which were bestowed in four individual metals sectors were: U.S.-based Alcoa Inc. for aluminum; Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara (LKAB) of Sweden for raw materials and mining; U.S.-headquartered The David J. Joseph Company for scrap and recycling; and JSW Steel Ltd. of India for steel.

The judges' rationale for according these and all other awards may be found in the Platts Global Metals Awards event publication at this link.

"We congratulate the winners and finalists alike for their contributions to creative and increasingly green solutions in the metals industry," said Andrew Goodwin, Platts general manager of metals and agriculture. "Combined, they have set a high bar on the measure of performance, which will no doubt continue to raise the competitive stakes for the industry as a whole and for next year's program."

The winners of the 2013 Platts Global Metals Awards are as follows:

CEO of the Year
Phil Martens, Novelis Inc.

End-User Efficiency Initiative of the Year
American Posts

Financial Deal of the Year
London Metal Exchange (LME)

Industry Leadership Award – Aluminum
Alcoa Inc.

Industry Leadership Award – Raw Materials & Mining
Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara (LKAB)

Industry Leadership Award – Scrap & Recycling
The David J. Joseph Company

Industry Leadership Award – Steel
JSW Steel Ltd.

Innovative Technology of the Year
ArcelorMittal-Ford

Lifetime Achievement Award
Peter Marcus, World Steel Dynamics

Metals Company of the Year
Novelis Inc.

Full details of the 2013 Platts Global Metals Awards winners and other information may be found at the Platts Global Metals Awards website and/or the media kit. Program sponsors included CME Group, a leading and diverse derivatives exchange, and Groot Steel, an integrated steel production company.

This year's Awards program was held in association with the Platts European Steel Summit comprised of Platts Green Steel Focus Day on May 22 and the Platts Steel Markets Europe Conference on May 23-24.

Next year's Platts Global Metals Awards and events will be held Thursday, May 22, 2014.  

Platts will hold the sister, founding event, the 15^th annual Platts Global Energy Awards, on December 12, 2013, at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.  

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SOURCE Platts