AK Steel to Move Corporate Headquarters
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AK Steel
Corporation (NYSE: AKS) announced today that it will move its corporate
headquarters into a new, technology-ready building totaling 136,000 square
feet currently under construction at Centre Pointe in Union Centre, located
in West Chester, Ohio, a northern Cincinnati community.
The company will re-locate about 300 corporate office positions
currently housed in Middletown to the new West Chester building in the
third quarter of 2007. AK Steel will continue to have a significant
presence in Middletown, including about 525 managerial and support
personnel associated with the Middletown Works, a research and development
center and other functions, along with the company's largest steel plant.
"Our new corporate headquarters will provide AK Steel with
state-of-the- art technology, including advanced computing and
communications capabilities that are necessary to improve our
competitiveness. It will also facilitate more convenient face-to-face
interaction with customers, suppliers and other important constituents,"
said James L. Wainscott, chairman, president and CEO.
"Additionally, the move will assist us in attracting and retaining top
professionals, who desire proximity to the abundant amenities and services
available in the West Chester and northern Cincinnati area."
Mr. Wainscott praised Middletown, which has served as the company's
headquarters since 1994.
"The City of Middletown, its leaders and its citizens have been very
supportive of AK Steel, and our move does not reflect negatively in any way
on that relationship," he said. "To the contrary, AK Steel and the AK Steel
Foundation will continue their longstanding involvement and support of the
Middletown community, as we do in all of our plant locations."
With respect to the existing buildings in Middletown, and especially
the current corporate office at 703 Curtis Street, which was built in 1917,
AK Steel said it was hopeful that they will be preserved and put to
continued good use. The company said it intends to discuss the future of
the buildings with city leaders and officials.
AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel
products, as well as carbon and stainless tubular steel products, for
automotive, appliance, construction and manufacturing markets.
SOURCE AK Steel Corporation