Submitted photoOfficials from Steel Dynamics, Inc., accept the 2017 Director’s Award at EMCC’s 28th Annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon. Pictured are, from left, Steel Dynamics Human Resources representative Jason King, EMCC President Dr. Thomas Huebner, Steel Dynamics Vice President and General Manager Madhu G. Ranade, Steel Dynamics Galvanizing/Paint Electrical Engineer Stephen Sims and EMCC Vice President of Workforce and Community Services Dr. Raj Shaunak. 

Steel Dynamics, Inc., took top honors Wednesday at East Mississippi Community College’s 28th Annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon at the Golden Triangle campus.

Steel Dynamics was presented with the 2017 Director’s Award, the event’s highest honor.

Other honorees included Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi, which took home the Best Practices Award, and Special Recognition Awards went to Joe Cade and 4-County Electric Power Association, EMCC Workforce Special Projects Coordinator Chrystal Newman, and Golden Triangle Development LINK Vice President of Internal and External Affairs Macaulay Whitaker.

EMCC President Dr. Thomas Huebner thanked the attendees for partnering with the college.

“We recognize that success takes place when a diversity of people with different experiences, backgrounds, expertise and perspectives can come together to make a community better,” Huebner said. “When that happens it is not work, it is transformation. Thank you for the opportunity to work and transform alongside you.”

Steel Dynamics, Inc., received the Director’s Award for “the highest level of recognition through workforce training, demonstrating management excellence with superior outcomes, continuing to improve and build upon outstanding results and excellent systems and deploying world-class processes.”

Last month, Steel Dynamics hosted a grand opening of a $100-million expansion. Previously owned by Severstal North America, the Columbus mill was acquired by Steel Dynamics in 2014 and increased steel operations shipping capacity by more than 40 percent to 11 million tons annually.

“With unparalleled access to rail, truck and water routes, SDI offers economical delivery to manufacturing facilities throughout the southern U.S. and Mexico,” EMCC Vice President of Workforce and Community Services Dr. Raj Shaunak said.

Huebner presented the award to SDI Vice President and General Manager Madhu G. Ranade.

Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi was presented the 2017 Best Practices Award for “providing outstanding examples of workforce training, quality management and business practices that serve as models for others.” The company garnered the Director’s Award in 2015 and last year shared the award along with PACCAR Engine Company.

The Special Recognition Awards were presented to Whitaker and Newman for “outstanding leadership in building a regional work-ready community and workforce training.” Cade and 4-County Electric Power Association were also recognized for “outstanding leadership in regional community development and economic enhancement.”

The keynote speaker for the event was PACCAR Engine Company Plant Manager Lance Walters.

“It is hard to believe that 10 years ago this month that we actually selected the site in Columbus for our first and only engine plant in the U.S.,” Walters said.

The company has continued to grow and invest in infrastructure ever since, Walters said.

From the beginning, PACCAR and EMCC have maintained a close working relationship, Walters said.

“We expect that partnership will grow further with the (EMCC) Communiversity that will be built at the site next to our location,” Walters said.