The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), a business unit of the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), was awarded the General Motors "Automotive Excellence Award" for its advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) innovation at Chevrolet Silverado 2019. Recently, at the 18th Annual Great Designs in Steel (GDIS) Symposium held at Laurel Manor Conference Center, Dr. Jody N. Hall, Vice President of SMDI Automotive Marketing, presented the award.
General Motors Engineering Group Manager Jeff Sulik and Senior Design Release Engineer Joy Geeraerts received the award for their 2018 GDIS presentation-"2019 Chevrolet Silverado's Advanced High Strength Steel Technology"
The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado's body structure consists of nearly 86% steel, including ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS), advanced high-strength steel (AHSS), and high-strength steel used in Silverado's cabs, beds and frames Low alloy (HSLA) materials. The use of these materials helps to reduce body weight.
Jody Hall, vice president of automotive marketing at SMDI, said: "The Car Excellence Award winner uses advanced high-strength steels in their applications to provide the best value for OEMs and consumers while also improving car performance and sustainability. Manufacturers are turning to trucks, CUVs and SUVs, and new steel grades are leading the way in innovation. Silverado 2019 is a good example of how these next-generation steel products will perform. "
The SMDI Automotive Excellence Awards are awarded every year in great designs in the steel industry. Individuals or teams from car manufacturers, suppliers or academia who accept innovation and make a significant contribution to the development of steel for the automotive market and have been awarded for their innovation. The winners were selected from the speakers at the previous year's GDIS seminar. Candidates are divided into several categories, including: challenges and benefits related to cost, quality reduction and performance, overall contribution to steel advancement, and implementation in production.
GDIS debuted in 2002 with a total of 545 registrants and has grown in both attendance and reach. This is the 18th year since the GDIS seminar was founded. More than 1,300 representatives from North American car manufacturers, Tier 1 automotive suppliers, equipment suppliers, universities, steel companies and news organizations attended the seminar. GDIS was selected by automotive investors from the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), including AK Steel, Algoma Steel, ArcelorMittal, and Nucor.
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) acts as the spokesperson for the North American steel industry in public policy and promotes steel on the market as the material of choice. AISI also plays a leading role in the development and application of new steel and steelmaking technologies. AISI consists of 19 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmaking plants, and approximately 120 associate members of steel industry suppliers or customers.
The Steel Market Development Institute is a business unit of AISI that increases and defends the use of steel by developing innovative materials, applications and value-added solutions for customers in the automotive, construction and packaging markets. SMDI automotive investors include: AK Steel, Algoma Steel, ArcelorMittal, and Nucor.