b'C O N T I N U E D - STRATEGIC MOVES:FOUR COMPANIES LOOK TO THE FUTUREArkansas Steel AssociatesCommitted to the Integrity of their Railway Infrastructure Products,ASA Adapts to Stay on Track with Steely Resolve Several decades ago in Newport, Arkansas, an SC Group Company was established that quickly became known for strength and integrity in both its steel products and reputation in the American steel industry. As a result,ASA serves as the leading manufacturer of high-quality railroad tie plates ASA was founded in 1989 as a joint venture between Yamato Kogyo Co., Ltd. and Sumitomo Corporation (SC). Recognizing the potential of the U.S. tie plate market and leveraging their ex-tensive experience in the steel industry, the Partners purchased the assets of Razorback Steel in Newport as the ideal location for Arkansas Steel Associates (ASA), due to the towns proximity to raw material suppliers and good transpor-tation options. This partnership had a shared vision: to create a domestic manufacturing hub for high-quality tie plates, an essential component used in railroad track construction. They are vital for maintaining the stability and safety of rail systems North America. If railroads are the lifeblood of the nations transport infrastructure, then tie plates produced by ASA are the very bones that provide structure and stability. These uniquely shaped pieces of flat steel, which are fastened intoHowever, their rolled product range extends beyond tie plates place between the rails and the wooden ties, perform a crucial role.to include several rectangular flat bar sections. Leveraging They ensure the stability of the rail, evenly distribute the weight ofthe knowledge of its parent companies, ASA has earned a passing trains, and prevent excessive wear and tear on the woodenreputation for superior product quality, serving all of the larg-ties. Its a product that requires precision and durability in equalest freight railroads in North America. Adaptation, as well as measures, and its here that ASA truly shines. The company hastechnological innovation, has been the driving force behind honed its production processes to achieve levels of efficiency andASAs continued success. quality that make it a leader in this specific market.As one of the early adopters of electric arc furnace tech-nology, the company strives for cost competitiveness and reduced CO2 emissions compared to traditional blast furnace steelmaking methods. This technology allows ASA to realize a critical environmental strategy of creating high value products using recycled material. ASA also benefits from technical collaboration with parent company Yamato Kogyo, to implement production data system improvements for pro-cess enhancement and reporting. This has helped them to maintain high product quality, yield consistency, and efficient workforce utilization. 6 visions Summer 2023'