BUY AMERICA

STEEL: AMERICA'S BACKBONE

A strong manufacturing sector is critical to creating good-paying jobs, promoting exports and providing for our national defense. Steel has long been considered the backbone of American manufacturing and generates over one million direct and indirect jobs.

The steel industry is an integral part of our national, regional and local economies and essential to the history and future of American industry. From the skyscrapers in New York City to the magnificent gateway arch in St Louis to the picturesque Golden Gate Bridge, American steel has been the arsenal of democracy, the foundation of our nation’s strength. Having a strong and viable manufacturing sector and steel industry is a key to any economic recovery. The steel industry has undergone massive changes over the last three decades as it made a transition into the competitive global marketplace. Today, American steel producers are the most competitive, productive and cleanest in the world, providing hundreds of thousands of American workers good paying, family supporting wages.

In recent years, millions of American manufacturing jobs have been lost due to a host of competitive factors, including rising energy costs, inadequate investment in infrastructure, increasing regulatory burdens and unfair foreign trade practices.

However, ongoing innovation and technology have transformed America’s steel industry into one of the world’s most competitive, sustainable and environmentally progressive industries. Steel productivity has more than tripled since the early 1980s – making America stronger at home and abroad. Today, America’s steel industry contributes $350 billion to our economy and generates over a million jobs and for every one direct job, steel creates seven (7) jobs in other economic sectors. Locally, right here in San Diego California, Quality Iron has made the commitment to its community, proving that good paying manufacturing jobs are still a reality in America. Click for article.

STEEL JOBS = GREEN JOBS

Another important benefit to steel made in America is the impact that it has had on our environment as compared to other building materials. More steel is recycled each year than all other material – aluminum, paper, plastic and glass -combined. It takes more than 40 trees to build a wood-framed house; it takes four recycled cars to frame a typical 2,000 sq. ft. house. But that’s just part of steel’s environmental story.

Steel is the most recycled material on the planet, more than all other materials combined. In 2008, approximately 83 percent of all steel produced by domestic mills came from recycled steel! Recycled steel saves the equivalent energy to power about 18 million households for a year.

The amazing metallurgical properties of steel allow it to be recycled continually with no degradation in performance, and from one product to another.

Even while more than two out of every three tons of new steel are produced from old steel, it is still necessary to continue to use some quantities of virgin materials. This is true because many steel products remain in service as durable goods for decades at a time and demand for steel around the world continues to grow. The American steel industry is ahead of Kyoto greenhouse emission goals by 240%, and is developing innovative technologies to continue setting new benchmarks.

Here at Quality Iron, we are using American made steel to fabricate commercial buildings, public schools, bachelor enlisted quarters for our Marines and solar car port structures – all from recycled steel –. Click for article.