September 08, 2008

BlueScope Steel executive leadership team changes

BlueScope Steel announced that Mr Brian Kruger president of BlueScope North America, corporate strategy and innovation is intending to leave the Company to pursue a career in the corporate advisory and merchant banking industry.

Mr Mark Vassella currently CEO of BlueScope's Australian Distribution and Solutions business has been appointed president BlueScope North America to replace Mr Kruger. He will lead the Company's growth in the key North American market and will operate from the Company's head office at Kansas City in Missouri from August 1st.

Mr Kruger and Mr Vassella will transition their responsibilities over the next few months. Announcements about a replacement for Mr Vassella's current role as head of Australian Distribution and Solutions and the reporting structure for Corporate Strategy and Innovation will be made in due course.

Announcing the senior management changes, Mr Paul O'Malley CEO & MD of BlueScope congratulated Mr Brian Kruger on an outstanding 25 year career in BlueScope Steel and its former parent company BHP. He said that "Mr Brian has had a distinguished career and has made an invaluable contribution to the growth and development of this Company over many years. More recently he had a major influence in two major strategic acquisitions that are shaping the future of our Company; in Australia, last year's acquisition of Smorgon Steel Distribution, and in North America the acquisition of IMSA in February."

Mr O'Malley said that "I'm very pleased that Mark Vassella will take over the reins in North America, a key market for growth and opportunity. Mark has shown great leadership skills at Australian Distribution and Solutions. With his world-class steel industry experience and business acumen, I'm confident the Company will be well led in North America as we seek to extract synergies from the IMSA acquisition.”