Nucor COO to Address Fluid Power Industry Leaders at NFPA’s 2011 Annual Conference

Nov. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) is pleased to announce that Nucor chief operating officer John Ferriola will be the keynote speaker at the 2011 NFPA Annual Conference .  He will address more than 100 industry leaders and member companies in Bonita Springs, Florida, February 16 – 19, 2011.

During his keynote address, The Importance of American Manufacturing for Global Strength, Ferriola will provide NFPA members with an overview of Nucor, including its products and culture, a general review of the domestic and global economic environment as Nucor sees it, and forecasts for the industry and markets Nucor serves. As part of his presentation, he will stress the importance of American-based manufacturing for global strength.

Ferriola graduated from the Maritime Academy, State University of New York with a BS degree 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, TX bar mill. In 1995, Ferriola was named general manager of Nucor’s Grapeland, TX 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.

The conference lineup also includes the following speakers:

•  U.S. and Global Economic Trends – Alan Beaulieu, economist and principal with the Institute for Trend Research;
•  The Strategic Imperative to Manage the Supply Chain –William Copacino, president and chief executive officer, Oco, Inc.; and
•  Building High-Performing Global Teams – Ted Gerber, senior consultant, Guttman Development Strategies.

This year’s conference theme, “Competing on the Global Stage,” will include numerous opportunities for NFPA members to network and share knowledge on the on-going globalization of the fluid power industry.  “Our members have a variety of different objectives in this new economy—staying competitive here at home, increasing sales in export markets, and expanding operations in foreign countries,” Eric Lanke, NFPA’s executive director, said. “Because this diversity of membership provides opportunities to learn from each other, unique knowledge sharing activities have been added to facilitate this interaction.”

About NFPA
NFPA provides a forum for the fluid power industry’s channel partners—manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, customers and educators. Its U.S. and multinational members work cooperatively in advancing hydraulic and pneumatic technology through the association’s many programs and initiatives.

About Nucor
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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NFPA provides a forum for the fluid power industry’s channel partners—manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, customers and educators.