Who We Are

WAR EFFORTS HEAD WESTWARD

Forty-two years before the gates of California Steel Industries were opened, the legacy of another steel mill was just beginning.

In 1941, the United States found itself thrust into the conflict of WWII and in dire need of ships, planes, and armaments to support the war effort. However, in the midst of a super-heated war economy, the east could no longer meet shipyard demands. Located inland enough to deter the possibility of coastal enemy attacks, and only 50 miles outside of Hollywood, Henry J. Kaiser established a new home for his vision to come to life to be the first West Coast source of rolled steel plates needed to build Liberty and Victory ships for the war effort.

THE INDUSTRIAL GIANT SHUTS ITS DOORS

The Kaiser Mill soared in success for forty long years, until adverse economic conditions, in which the steel mill could no longer generate the profits necessary to modernize and compete in the ever advancing industry, forced Kaiser Steel to close its doors in 1983.

Little did they know however that this was not the end for the facility grounds—it was just the beginning.

CALIFORNIA STEEL INDUSTRIES IS BORN

From the time of its inception, California Steel Industries could never lay claim to being an ordinary company established by ordinary means. Though a smaller, independently run business by world-steel industry standards, the complex foundation on which CSI is built makes it a unique player in the steel game.

In August 1984, with hopes to revive the presence of a strong, viable steel supplier west of the Rocky Mountains, two of the world’s largest steel industry participants worked together to build a new manufacturing leader—CSI.

From the remnants of the old Kaiser Steel Mill, which operated for 40 years, Japan’s JFE Steel Group, formerly Kawasaki Steel Corporation, and Brazil’s Vale Corporation, formerly Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, purchased the long used rolling mills, and each became 50% shareholders of the independently run CSI.

CROPPING AND ROLLING

On November 12, 1984, only three months following the purchase of the old Kaiser Steel rolling mills, CSI rolled its first slab through the 86” Hot Strip Mill and made its first customer shipment less than one month later. Since then, the growth and expansion of CSI has led to success far exceeding initial expectation.

Today, thanks to the vision of the founders and the dedication of the employee team, CSI carries on its 35+ year history of quality steel made by People with Pride.

LEADING SUPPLIER WEST OF THE ROCKIES

CSI’s People with Pride are at present nearly 900 teammates strong. Our company is one that sees generations follow in their parents and grandparents footsteps, securing a career at a company that rewards and values them. This is a place where every voice matters, and where collective success creates individual success.

With a bi-annual profit sharing paid to each full time team member, individuals at CSI invest in themselves and their families by constantly producing high quality products and improving systems and technology. Our company has continued to enjoy the freedom of a union-free operation as a result of our commitment to open dialogue, fair treatment, and providing excellent benefits.

Over the decades, CSI has continued to grow and flourish in the expansion of our operations, services and team. Functioning at one of the highest productivity rates in our industry, CSI is currently the only West Coast steel supplier producing five different product lines with the highest rolling output capacity of more than 2 million tons per year. Since CSI began operations, more than $1 billion has been invested in our 430-acre facility to maintain, modernize and add operations.

ON THE CUSP OF SOMETHING NEW

At the foundation of CSI’s long history of success is our company-wide commitment to a safety-first mindset. Through the years, as CSI rose to set the industry standard for safety, quality, and on time delivery, our achievements did not remain unnoticed. In 2021, Vale expressed interest in selling their shares in CSI, and Nucor Corporation, one of the most successful and widespread steel companies in the world, recognized that to align itself with CSI would mean an indomitable partnership.

A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER

On February 1, 2022, following a successful acquisition of Vale’s 50% equity interest in CSI, and an additional 1% equity ownership from JFE Steel, Nucor became CSI’s new majority shareholder working in partnership with JFE Steel.

Leading with transparency and collaboration at the forefront, CSI, Nucor and JFE are at the precipice of writing our greatest chapter yet.