New Bayou Steel Group initiatives drive commercial excellence

LAPLACE, La., June 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Jim Howe appointed as Vice President of Strategic Sales and Business Development

We are excited to announce that Jim Howe will assume the role of Vice President of Strategic Sales and Business Development. Jim, a 40-year industry veteran, returned to Bayou Steel Group in 2016 after previously leading our sales organization from 2003 to 2008. Since his return in 2016 Jim has led our efforts to increase our sales and service of our diverse customer base in 49 states, Canada and Mexico. 

"Jim has been an integral part of the re-introduction of Bayou Steel Group into the market place and has championed our efforts to re-establish the customer relationships that will set the standard in our industry and ensure our success. In his new role, Jim will work with Dan and I as well as the rest of the leadership team in continuing to pursue our objective of becoming the most reliable provider of merchant products and small beams in North America."

Robert A. Simon, Chief Executive Officer

Dan Lay named as Vice President of Sales and Marketing

Dan joins Bayou Steel Group as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Dan began his career in the steel industry with Gerdau in 2005. He served in various roles beginning with Inside Sales, managing wire rod and merchant bar and then transitioned to Outside Sales for merchant products across the Midwest region. In 2009, he was promoted to Sales Manager of merchant bar, responsible for the northern half of the United States. During this time Dan also spent extensive time in Brazil, where he led the implementation of SAP for Marketing, Sales and Logistics for North America.

In 2013, Dan was promoted to Director of Sales for Merchant Products for the US and Canada, taking responsibility for the entire product line. Two years later, he added beams to his role, leading sales for both products. In 2017, Dan became Director of Sales for rebar in the US and Canada, responsible for all external mills sales.

We are excited to have Dan join the Bayou Steel Group team and are certain his knowledge and experience will highly accelerate our efforts to become a solid and reliable supplier in our marketplace.

"We are hard at work rebranding our company and striving to be the supplier of choice in our market. Dan's appointment is not only exciting, but launches us forward in achieving our goal of becoming the supplier of choice. The coupling of skills from Dan and Jim Howe will provide our customers with top-of-class market knowledge and understanding."

Robert A. Simon, Chief Executive Officer

Alex Hammond joins BSG as the Midwest and Northeast Regional Sales Manager

Alex Hammond has taken over for recently retired Jim Neumeyer, a veteran of 45 years in the steel industry and 17 years as a Bayou Steel Group Regional Sales Manager. Alex obtained his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Indiana University where he was a Dean's List student. Upon graduation, Alex spent a year and a half working for Steel Dynamic's Structural and Rail Division focusing on new product and market development, marketing and inside sales for both the structural and rail product groups. Alex joined Bayou Steel Group as a Senior Customer Service Representative in October 2016.

Nelson Cuesta joins BSG as the Regional Sales Manager for portions of the Northeast

Effective June 2017, Rob Miller, whose professional career included work in sales and human resources and most recently Regional Sales Manager for Bayou Steel Group's Northeastern territory, announced his retirement. 

Nelson Cuesta joined Bayou Steel Group as Regional Sales Manager and will be responsible for portions of the Northeast markets. A graduate of Penn State University and a former Sergeant in the United States Army who is also fluent in Spanish, Nelson's sales background is diverse and includes recent experience in stainless steel light gauge Precision Strip, Sheet, Coil, Plate and Long Products Bar as a Territory Manager for Camalloy, Inc.

State-of-the-art e-commerce system in development

Bayou Steel Group has embarked on a comprehensive e-commerce capital project, valued at well over $2M, that will deliver a robust solution that will allow our customers to easily book orders, check status, and not only track but also management shipments.   

We have partnered with Lyons CG, a company with a successful track record of implementing e-commerce platforms for a diverse list of clients including companies within the steel industry. 

"This investment is yet another example of our company's commitment to its customers and to improving the buying experience from our company. We look forward to the successful launch of this important project in the fourth quarter of 2017."

Jim Howe, Vice President of Strategic Sales and Business Development

SOURCE Bayou Steel Group