Black Diamond Capital Management, L.L.C. announced today that Robert Simon will take the helm as CEO of the newly formed Bayou Steel Group, a steelmaking and finishing operation that produces and sells long carbon steel products in North America.
"I'm honored to lead this team of dedicated professionals," said Simon. "We plan to create a culture that will nurture a world class workforce to deliver operational and commercial excellence. This, combined with our unwavering commitment to our customers, will set us apart from our competition and will ultimately drive our business growth."
Simon joins the team with over 25 years of hands-on operating experience within the steel industry, most recently leading the Structural & Rail division of Steel Dynamics, Inc. Simon also served as Group Executive Vice President for EVRAZ North America, where he was responsible for turning around fledgling operations and implementing best-practices into newly acquired business units.
Simon joins the team with over 25 years of hands-on operating experience within the steel industry, most recently leading the Structural & Rail division of Steel Dynamics, Inc. Simon also served as Group Executive Vice President for EVRAZ North America, where he was responsible for turning around fledgling operations and implementing best-practices into newly acquired business units.
Additionally, Alton Davis and Jim Howe are joining the team as President/COO and VP of Sales, respectively. Davis, an industry veteran with over 40 years in the North American steel business, recently served as COO of ArcelorMittal's long carbon division. He is a familiar face at Bayou Steel, having enjoyed several stints including General Manager and VP of Operations at Bayou's LaPlace plant.
Howe, also a 40-year industry veteran, returns to LaPlace after leading the sales organization there from 2003 to 2008 during which he and his team were successful in growing sales and service with a wide range of customers in 49 states, Canada and Mexico.
Bayou Steel Group is an independent company that produces long carbon steel products in North America. The Company, headquartered in LaPlace, Louisiana, has additional operations in Vinton, Texas and Harriman, Tennessee as well as three finished inventory depots in Tulsa, Chicago and Pittsburgh. Bayou Steel Group manufactures a broad range of merchant bar shapes, including equal and unequal leg angles, flats, rounds, squares and channels, as well as standard and wide-flange beams. The company also specializes in rebar production for the commercial and industrial construction industry and grinding balls for the mining industry.