From July 1st on, the Votorantim Metal’s new steel business unit will be coordinated by Votorantim Siderurgia (Steel), Votorantim Group’s newest business area. The creation of the new company is a result of Votorantim strategic repositioning in the steel business, siderurgical market growth and its importance in the national and international stages, and for its business-specific characteristics (technology and product diversity).

Votorantim Siderurgia will take care of pig-iron trading and production, iron ore and mineral coal mine operation, the development and handling of eucalyptus-planted planted forest development and handling for vegetable coal production, and partnership share management in the Usiminas System.

The Board of Directors to the new business unit will be taken over by Albano Chagas Vieira, Who has been – since April, 2006, the position of Industrial Operation corporate director. Vieira and his team will have – as their main challenge – to search for market share increase in the American continent through organic growth, acquisitions, and constant search for world-standard commercial and industrial operations.