Severstal North America Named “Business of the Year” by Dearborn Chamber of Commerce

Hundreds of residents and business owners gathered at The Henry Hotel on Friday for the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Recognition Awards Ceremony & Expo honoring Severstal North America.

Severstal, one of the largest U.S. steel producers, was recognized as the 2013 "Business of the Year."

“We have been proud to call Dearborn our home for almost 100 years. Working alongside the community, improving the environment, and making our operations safer and more efficient have bee our top business priorities," Sergei Kuznetsov, CEO of Severstal North America said. "Severstal employees have donated their time and energy to make this community a better place to live and work, and we appreciate the chamber’s recognition of our efforts."

Since purchasing the Rouge Steel Company in January 2004, Severstal North America has invested more than $3 billion ($1.7 billion in Dearborn) to modernize its steelmaking facilities in Dearborn and Columbus, Miss.

"We are honored to receive this corporate award," Martin Szymanski, vice president of Severstal North America said. "It strikes me how far our company has come — from near extinction in 2003 to Business of the Year in 2013.

"Success in business doesn't happen by accident. It requires a vision, the necessary capital, hard work, and cooperation by all stakeholders. I would not be here today to accept this award if it were not for Severstal's employees, who have generously devoted their time, energy, and financial resources to make this community a better place to live and work."

Other award recepients included:

• Small Business Award: Westborn Market in Dearborn.
• Leadership Award: Lynne and Don Killion, who operate PostNet in Dearborn.
• Innovator of the Year: Henry Ford Collegiate Academy, which is a partnership between the Dearborn Public Schools and Henry Ford Community College.