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News at Dennen Steel
Dennen Steel Corp. Announces Location of Manufacturing Facility in Iuka, Miss.
Press Release - July 2010
 Officials from Dennen Steel Corp. have announced the company is locating manufacturing operations at Yellow Creek Port in Iuka, Miss., in order to better serve its customers in the southeastern United States. The project represents a company investment of more than $7.4 million and will create 50 new jobs in northeast Mississippi.
Dennen Steel will manufacture steel slit coil, precision stampings, fabricated metal parts and tooling and assemblies from the Tishomingo County location.
"I thank Dennen Steel officials for choosing to locate operations in Mississippi. The company's decision to locate in Iuka further demonstrates that Mississippi is in a prime location for companies in the steel and metal fabrication sectors," said Gray Swoope, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA). "I am pleased MDA was able to provide assistance for this project, and I wish Dennen Steel great success here in our state."
MDA worked with company and local officials to provide assistance to Tishomingo County for infrastructure improvements at the site of the company's new 50,000-square-foot facility. The Appalachian Regional Commission and Tennessee Valley Authority also provided assistance to help facilitate the project.
"The Mississippi Development Authority, Tishomingo County and the Tennessee Valley Authority really went to bat to provide assistance and support to Dennen," said Andrew Dennen, chairman of Dennen Steel. "They played an instrumental role in our decision to establish our southern operation at Yellow Creek Port."
Click here for a PDF of the press release. Click the map below for a full-size PDF.
Manufacturing Jobs Return from China to the US
Business Announcement - February 2010
Event Overview
Dennen Steel’s customer, a leading US manufacturer of office systems, seating and storage recently reviewed its purchasing policies, and consequently, manufactured components previously imported from China will soon be again sourced in the US.
Their analysis determined the advantages of local sourcing will contribute strongly to overall business competitiveness. The US manufacturer has selected their steel stamping partner, Dennen Steel, to bring this product back home.
Dennen’s customer made clear that the low cost of Chinese labor and raw materials could be a major obstacle to sourcing the stamped parts locally. To meet the challenging cost targets without sacrifice of quality, Dennen reached into its diverse resources from engineering and tool design, to die manufacturing, metal stamping and steel expertise.
Business Details
Mounting Plate
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Dennen Steel was given the challenge to provide an economically competitive mounting plate - equivalent or superior to the one that was currently being supplied from China. This plate provides a secure connection between various legs in different orientations and any work surface.
The existing part started as a square plate, and required numerous hand drilling and hand countersinking operations to produce a finished part.
Utilizing experience stamping countersinks for agricultural components, Dennen designed a four station die for its 700 ton press to fabricate a completed part quickly and efficiently.
The new parts are not only more dimensionally accurate, but specified hole patterns and countersink depths are more consistent. In addition to providing a higher quality part Dennen Steel was able to provide additional savings by determining the material thickness could be reduced by 9% and maintain the integrity of the part.
Combining local US manufacturing and supported by Dennen’s integrated supply chain model, these business partners contribute what they do best, to the ultimate benefit of the end customer. The results: the US is rebuilding its manufacturing base.
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Organizational Announcement
Jack Addington Appointed Quality Control Manager
 Dennen Steel Corp. is pleased to announce the appointment of Jack Addington to the position corporate Quality Control Manager. Jack will be responsible for corporate-wide continuous improvement, new product and process implementation, and customer quality validation and approval in Dennen Steel’s Grand Rapids, MI and Burns Harbor, IN facilities. Dennen expects to announce the construction of a new facility to serve manufacturers in southern United States early in 2010.
Before joining the Dennen team, Jack was Director of Operations and Quality Manager for a West Michigan based contract manufacturer in Grand Rapids. Previously, Jack enjoyed twenty-plus years with two global automotive manufacturers in various positions including Manufacturing Engineering and Quality management roles.
In 1977, Jack earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Mich- igan and a Masters in Manufacturing Management from Kettering University.
The appointment of Jack Addington to oversee quality is one of numerous recent staff additions that support the corporation’s rapid growth as a contract manufacturing supplier. This growth is attributed to Dennen’s unique ability to combine their direct mill relationships with internal slitting, stamping and secondary operations, thus offering customers a low-cost and effective integration of the supply chain.
Dennen Steel’s capabilities include material purchasing, master coil management, slitting, progressive stampings, die manufacturing and maintenance, forming, welding capability and light assembly.
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ArtPrize 2009
Dennen Steel's Grand Dance Among Top Ten Finalists
We're excited to announce that our team's entry into the world's largest art competition, ArtPrize, placed in the top ten semi-finals. Grand Dance is a kinetic sculpture that was designed, engineered, fabricated and erected in the Grand River in just 8 short weeks. A team of 12 local firms collaborated to make Grand Dance.
read more
Organizational Announcement
Rafael Ocampo Named Director of Operations
 Dennen Steel Corp. is pleased to announce the appointment of Rafael Ocampo to the position of Director of Operations. As the new operations director, Rafael will be responsible for all activities associated with manufacturing at the Grand Rapids, MI and Burns Harbor, IN plants.
Before joining the Dennen team, Rafael held the position of Plant Manager at Bucyrus International Inc. in Milwaukee, WI. Prior to that, he was Director of Operations for Gill Industries Inc. Rafael’s extensive experience in manufacturing includes positions with Target Components Inc. and C&F Stamping Inc.
Rafael’s business education is complimented by the LEAN Manufacturing Certification from University of Michigan’s College of Engineering. His knowledge and experience in manufacturing, and especially high production stamping, underscores Dennen Steel’s commitment to their Press Division.
Dennen Steel has a unique advantage in the stamping business because Dennen is also one of the largest steel service centers in the region. Rafael Ocampo, new Director of Operations at Dennen Steel Corp. With quantities of steel always on the floor, the Press Division can respond rapidly and deliver shorter lead times for stamping customers. Rafael’s expertise will refine and expand Dennen’s manufacturing services to integrate with a more diverse range of customers’ operations.
“Business process management,” Rafael commented, “is the new mantra of profitable companies who expect their supply chain partners to implement best practices and efficient processes. Improving each link in our internal “manufacturing chain” culminates in more total value delivered by our organization to our customers - which gives Dennen Steel an even greater competitive advantage.”
As Director of Operations, Rafael is committed to education and training for all manufacturing and support personnel, and establishing specific processes integral to LEAN Manufacturing systems. “Dennen Steel already has some excellent systems in place that have earned them a great reputation for consistent quality. That just makes my job easier.”
Rafael outlined a five-year plan for expansion of the stamping business. He remarked that companies with aggressive growth plans are looking for partners who are eager to grow with them. Customers want to see a plan for development and improvement so they know their needs will be met in the years ahead.
Dennen Steel Corp. profiled by Metal Center News
Click here to download a PDF case study of Dennen Steel from January 2008.
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Organizational Announcement
David H. Coonce Named Engineering Project Manager
 Dennen Steel Corp., a major value-added manufacturer and mid-west steel service center with facilities in Burns Harbor, Indiana and Grand Rapids, Michigan, is pleased to announce the appointment of David H. Coonce to the position of Engineering Project Manager. David will be responsible for Project Launch Management and Engineering/Customer Interface.
Before joining the Dennen Steel team, David was the Operations Manager for Haworth’s steel plant in Holland, MI. David’s twenty four years with Haworth offered him an extraordinary range of engineering responsibilities and experiences in state-of-the-art manufacturing processes. As Quality Assurance Manager, Technical Services Manager, Engineering Manager and Operations Manager, the depth and breadth of his knowledge will both support and expand Dennen’s steel stamping business. Prior to joining Haworth, David was an engineer with Trane Air Conditioning.
David earned an Industrial Engineering degree from the University of Illinois and a Masters Degree in Engineering Management from Western Michigan University. David also holds certifi-cations in Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering and Quality Management.
With extensive experience in Quality Assurance and Lean Manufacturing techniques, David is keenly aware of the needs and expectations of metal using manufacturers. By interacting with customers’ engineering and production staff, David intends to gain a thorough understanding of each customer’s manufacturing operation. This will allow David and the Dennen Team to anticipate and supply the value-added services our customers require.
Organizational Announcement
Lawrence Murray Named President of Press Division
Dennen Steel Corp., a major mid-west steel service center with in Burns Harbor and Grand Rapids, is pleased to announce the appointment of Lawrence Murray to the position of President, Press Division. As divisional president, Lawrence will be responsible for all activities associated with the newly formed Press Division.
Before joining the Dennen Steel team, Lawrence held Vice President, Operations positions at both Gill Industries, Inc. and Lear-Donnelly. Prior to joining Lear-Donnelly, Lawrence enjoyed twelve years at Magna International in various positions including Plant Controller in the Atoma Interior Trim Group.
Lawrence earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Oakland University and the Lean Manufacturing Certification from the University of Michigan. In 2004 Lawrence joined Dennen Steel Corp. as Vice President, Operations. His responsibilities at Dennen Steel expanded to include Press Sales, and most recently as head of the new Press Division.
As President, Press Division, Lawrence oversees sales, business development and manufacturing operations for Dennen Steel’s metal stamping facilities in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Burns Harbor, Indiana, which serve numerous customers throughout the Midwest. With extensive experience in Lean Manufacturing techniques, Lawrence intends to nurture sales growth of Value-Added Products while ensuring that Dennen’s manufacturing capabilities continue to form an integral link in his customer’s supply chain.
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Dennen Steel Corp. to Redevelop Site in Burns Harbor, IN
PITTSBURGH -- Dennen Steel Corp., Grand Rapids, Mich., won approval last week from the Burns Harbor, Ind., planning commission to install a flat-rolled steel stamping operation and coil warehouse at the site of the former Chicago Steel Co. mill in Burns Harbor.
The approval, according to local newspaper reports, included stipulations that the operation meet local noise and vibration ordinances. Dennen is prepared to invest $250,000 on such measures, according to the Gary, Ind., Post-Tribune.
The operation is expected to start in January after a $3-million investment by Dennen Steel Corp.
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