Worthington Steel adds value to support emerging industry megatrends

From electrical steel laminations to automotive lightweighting solutions, the company delivers exceptional value to clients and shareholders. 

When Geoff Gilmore, president and CEO of Worthington Steel, refers to the company he leads as a unique steel processor, he is not exaggerating. The organization truly stands out by having as much as 99 percent of its steel products undergo at least one value-add process and more than 90 percent go through multiple product enhancements. The result is a robust line of steel products, from pickling and galvanizing to electrical steel laminations, as well as tailor-welded blanks used for lightweighting, which support sustainable trends in automotive, renewable energy and infrastructure.

“Very few companies have the breadth of value-add capabilities that we have, and the more processes we apply to steel, the more value we bring,” says Geoff Gilmore, president and CEO of Worthington Steel. “We believe our alignment with various uptrends involving decarbonization, energy transition and infrastructure spending could push our annual growth in those product lines to as much as 10 percent in the next decade, outpacing GDP.”

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington Steel is the No. 1 producer of tailor-welded blanks through its TWB Company joint venture, the No. 1 independent producer of hot-dipped galvanized steel in North America and the No. 3 manufacturer of electrical steel laminations in the world. It employs approximately 5,000 individuals across 32 manufacturing facilities, including locations in India, China and Germany.

The company serves a variety of sectors, with the automotive industry accounting for more than half of its business, alongside a significant presence in construction and agriculture. The move towards electric and hybrid vehicles positions Worthington Steel at the forefront of the evolving automotive landscape. Its expertise in lightweight solutions, such as tailor-welded blanks, has been crucial in enhancing vehicle efficiency and performance.

The Worthington Business System, built on three pillars—transformation, innovation and acquisitions—drives the company’s success. Transformation focuses on lean principles and continuous improvement, while innovation through significant investments in technical and metallurgical resources allows it to align closely with customer needs. Meanwhile, acquisitions enable the company to expand its capabilities and market reach.

The recent strategic split from Worthington Enterprises (formerly Worthington Industries) to become a separate public company, has further sharpened Worthington Steel’s focus. This separation allows the company to concentrate on its core strengths, attract specialized investments and drive sustainable growth.

Looking ahead, Worthington Steel will continue to rely on its talented staff to lead the industry into a more sustainable future. This vision encompasses not only environmental factors but also sustainable growth in earnings and job creation.

“We’re going to be out in front,” says Gilmore, who has more than 20 years of experience in the metals industry. “We want people to know our vision, understand it and specifically know what we’re doing to drive value for the environment and our shareholders.”

Learn more about Worthington Steel at worthingtonsteel.com.