HEIDTMAN STEEL ANNOUNCES PLANS TO BUILD NEW LEVELING FACILITY IN BUTLER, INDIANA

Red Bud Industries to Supply Stretcher Leveler

January 9, 2004, Toledo, Ohio - Heidtman Steel Products, Inc., the nation’s largest privately held flat-rolled service center network, announces plans to expand at its existing steel processing facility in Butler, Indiana with the addition of a new leveling line.

Heidtman Steel will install a new highly automated leveling line purchased from Red Bud Industries, Red Bud, Illinois. The terms of purchase are in the process of being finalized, and the project is estimated to be completed sometime late 2004.

“This line will add a new dimension to our already extensive processing capabilities,” said John Bates, CEO and President, Heidtman Steel Products. “This new strategically located piece of equipment, will help us to better serve our existing customer base, as well as open applications to us that we previously could not do in house. This line will produce a product better than temper-passed quality.”

The new line will produce a stress-free sheet product used in laser quality manufacturing applications. The .312 x 72” (.375 x 60) stretcher leveler will have the capability of handling 60,000 pound inbound coils, and will produce up to 18,000 tons per month.

Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Heidtman Steel is a world leader in marketing flat-rolled carbon steel products sold through its 11 state-of-the-art processing facilities. Noted for their expertise in high strength steels, Heidtman processes nearly five million tons of steel annually through its Heidtman facilities or through joint ventures. Its products are distributed to industries including automotive, truck and bus, construction, pipe and tube, metal building, appliances, and furniture. For more information on Heidtman Steel, please log on to www.heidtman.com or call 419-691-4646.