March 15, 2006 — Mittal Canada Inc. recently awarded VAI a contract to upgrade a 6-strand billet-casting machine located at the company's EAF steelworks in Contrecouer, Que., Canada. The value of the contract was not disclosed.

The main goals of the project are improved caster operations and increased production output. The scope of the project, which will be implemented by Voest-Alpine Industries, Inc., Pittsburgh, includes implementation of VAI's continuous-straightening concept through the engineering and installation of new modular quick-change withdrawal-straightening units. VAI will also replace the torch-approach roller tables, including installation of an integrated hydraulic pinch-roller assembly.

Upon completion of this billet caster modernization project, Mittal Canada will be able to achieve higher casting speeds and an increased machine utilization both aimed at increasing production. Startup of the upgraded caster is scheduled for April 30, 2006.

Based in the Province of Quebec, Mittal Canada has an annual capacity of approximately 1.8 million tons of liquid steel and is Canada's fourth largest steel producer. The company’s wide range of flat and long steel products are used in the automotive, engineering, construction and other industries, mainly throughout Canada and the USA.

VAI, a division of the Siemens Group Industrial Solutions and Services (I&S), is one of the world's leading engineering and plant-building companies for the iron and steel industry as well as for the flat-product-rolling sector of the aluminum industry. VAI, derived from the company Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau, Linz/Austria, provides a comprehensive range of supplies and services for all related technological processes and integrated automation solutions for the entire life-cycle of metallurgical plants.

The Siemens Industrial Solutions and Services Group (I&S) integrates systems and solutions for industrial and infrastructure facilities and provides global services for the plant and projects business covering planning, installation, operation and the entire life cycle. I&S uses the electrical and technical products of other Siemens Groups in order to enhance productivity and improve competitiveness of companies in the sectors of metallurgy, water treatment, pulp and paper, oil and gas, marine engineering, open-cast mining, airport logistics, postal automation, intelligent traffic systems and industrial services. In fiscal 2005 (to September 30) I&S employed a total of 31,700 people worldwide and achieved total sales of EUR 5.390 billion.