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Volunteers from the rolling mills in Frýdek help the town with cleaning

Frýdek-Místek, November 5, 2009 – Ten employees of the rolling mills ArcelorMittal Frýdek-Místek are again willingly leaving their warm offices and are going to clean and maintain the premises of 5th and 9th primary schools in Frýdek-Místek. “As one of the biggest companies in this region we are aware of our responsibility to the area in which we operate. When we learned that the cleaning and the maintenance of the greenery outside the elementary schools are required, we immediately decided to help,” says HR Director of ArcelorMittal Frýdek-Místek, Rostislav Tkáč.

The cleaning of the premises of elementary schools in El. Krásnohorská street was carried out jointly by employees of ArcelorMittal Frýdek-Místek and the Community Services of Frýdek-Místek. “Fridays are dedicated to volunteering. It means that the wages for the day is paid by this company, but the employees work for the benefit of the town. We will continue to do so every Friday in the next few weeks until the whole area of the school as well as the playground is perfectly clean,” explains the HR Director, who has also been an active participant in the cleaning activities.

“I am happy that the cooperation between the community and ArcelorMittal continues. After the joint spring cleaning of the town around Olešná dam and along the river Ostravice I and the CEO agreed on further cooperation. It started in October with rejuvenation of shrubs and felling of self-seeded trees nearby the new playground. Owing to the helpfulness and understanding of the Management of ArcelorMittal, another part of this town will be properly maintained. For that I would like to thank,” says the mayor of the town, Eva Richtrová

Head of production Antonín Kurečka confirms that the employees are really enthusiastic about the cleaning activities: “In one day we managed to remove a long strip of shrub along the playground and pavement. We worked hard as a team, but the result is noticeable, with which we are pleased.”

“This assistance is a continuation of our previous activities and a proof of the good level of cooperation between the rolling mills and the representatives and authorities of the town. We want to be a good corporate neighbour and we are happy to clean the area of the school among whose pupils are also our employees’ children,” says Tkáč. He further mentions that every Friday the cleaning activities are carried out by some ten employees on average, mostly from technical and administration spheres. “ArcelorMittal Frýdek-Místek operates almost at full capacity at the moment, so our shop-floor workers have to ensure smooth production of grain-oriented sheet steel,” adds the HR Director.

This year ArcelorMittal Frýdek-Místek has already taken part in a similar event in conjunction with the town. The employees cleaned the relaxation zones around Olešná dam, the forest in Frýdek and the area outside the Stovky stadium. During the four-day event they managed to collect 1.71 tonnes of rubbish.

ArcelorMittal Frýdek-Místek (former Válcovny plechu Frýdek-Místek) is a subsidiary of ArcelorMittal Ostrava and an important producer of cold-rolled steel. The product portfolio includes deep-drawing and grain-oriented (GO) steels, but also galvanized earthing strip and wire. After its merger with Nová Huť – Válcovna za studena the portfolio was expanded by carbon and micro-alloyed steels and steel binding strip. A major part of the company’s GO steel production is exported, notably to Europe – Italy, Turkey and Germany.
In 2008 ArcelorMittal Frýdek-Místek made a profit of CZK 600.32 million (before taxation), which meant a year-on-year increase of 13 per cent. The sales revenues increased from CZK 3.5 billion in 2007 to CZK 3.9 billion in 2008.
2008 was an important milestone in the company’s history. The rollers celebrated 175th anniversary of the foundation of the original Karel’s huť. As from April 1, 2008, the company name changed from Válcovny plechu to ArcelorMittal Frýdek-Místek. Then, on August 1, 2008, the merger with subsidiary Nová huť – Válcovna za studena was completed, which simplified the management process in the newly established plant.