It keeps inflation down and keeps us working to lower costs. TXI-Chaparral sees exports as a big part of its future. Steelmakers need to take a more active role in product development, Forward said. Housing is a huge market, but its manufacturing process is poor. The designs are terrible and the raw materials bad, he said, and much of the work is performed by a bunch of subcontractors.
Premanufactured homes have a bad public image but are a much better way to produce housing.
In summing up his history in the steel business, which began at Allegheny Ludlum in 1953, Simmons discussed the importance of providing data to employees. The introduction of process computers probably is the greatest development in steel manufacturing. Simmons recalled a conversation with a manager at Republic Steel in the late 1960s, when he was running Republic's No. 4 EAF shop. We want these guys from Podunk University who'll work for us for 35 years and not make any waves. Simmons resigned about five months after that conversation to return to Allegheny Ludlum.