American Manufacturing: It's Time to Saddle Up, says Nucor's John Ferriola

April 1, 2010
In this keynote session at the 2010 IW Best Plants Conference, take a look at American manufacturing in the wake of the recent recession. John Ferriola, Chief Operating Officer, Nucor Corporation, examines where America's manufacturers are today, how we got here, what this recovery is going to look like, and how we can restore our place in the world as a nation that makes and builds things. He also takes questions from the audience.

In this keynote session at the 2010 IW Best Plants Conference, take a look at American manufacturing in the wake of the recent recession. John Ferriola, Chief Operating Officer, Nucor Corporation, examines where America's manufacturers are today, how we got here, what this recovery is going to look like, and how we can restore our place in the world as a nation that makes and builds things. He also takes questions from the audience.

The entire keynote speech including the question and answer session is below. Also included is a special opening welcome from Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson.

In This Presentation You Will See

  • A special welcome from Cleveland mayor Frank Jackson (in minute 5)

  • John Ferriola's introduction (in minute 8)

  • How John Wayne embodies the spirit of manufacturing (in minute 10)

  • What has changed in today's economy that enhances recessions (in minute 14)

  • What manufacturers can expect from the recovery (in minute 18)

  • The "hangover" of the economy and highly leveraged demand (in minute 22)

  • The three steps needed to bring about job creation (in minute 26)

  • Nucor's position on trade and globalization (in minute 29)

  • Ferriola's response to a question as what do we as manufacturers and the U.S. nationally need to do to regarding China (in minute 37)

  • Ferriola's response to a question on who is the next China (in minute 42)

  • Ferriola's response to a question on what the steel industry needs to do to be competitive (in minute 43)

  • Ferriola's response to a question on what manufacturing has done wrong (in minute 45)

  • Ferriola's response to a question on the place natural resources will play in the global economy (in minute 51)

  • Ferriola's response to a question on the steps Nucor has taken to reduce costs (in minute 55)

  • Ferriola's response to a question on how to get this message out (in minute 58)

  • Ferriola's response to a question on outsourcing and why U.S. politicians don't "sell the U.S." (in minute 63)

  • Ferriola's response to a question on the current deficits (in minute 69)

  • and more

About the Speaker

John Ferriola, Chief Operating Officer, Nucor Corporation

John J. Ferriola graduated from the Maritime Academy, State University of New York with a bachelor's in Electrical Engineering. He began his career with Bethlehem Steel Corporation in 1974, and worked in various operating and management roles. He joined Nucor Corporation in 1991, as manager of maintenance and engineering at the Jewett, Texas bar mill. In 1995, Ferriola was named general manager of Nucor's Grapeland, Texas joist fabrication division. Later the same year, he was named vice president and general manager of Nucor's Norfolk, NE bar mill. In 1998, he was named vice president and general manager of the Crawfordsville, IN sheet mill. On January 1, 2002, Ferriola was appointed to Executive Vice President. His current position as of September 30, 2007 is Chief Operation Officer of Steel Making Operations. Ferriola has been active in the A.I.S.T. for over twenty years and has served on their board of directors.

Nucor and affiliates are manufacturers of steel products, with operating facilities primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Products produced include: carbon and alloy steel -- in bars, beams, sheet and plate; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; fabricated concrete reinforcing steel; cold finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; light gauge steel framing; steel grating and expanded metal; and wire and wire mesh. Nucor, through DJJ, also brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron and HBI/DRI; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap. Nucor is North America's largest recycler.

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