People are the difference in the nonferrous metals supply chain—whether they're creating supply strategies, producing mill products, or processing and distributing value-added goods. Even as America's manufacturers struggle to get back on sure footing during this three-year recession, there is a modest rebound in the nonferrous metal markets. Last year, for example, U.S. purchasing of aluminum, copper, titanium, tin, nickel, lead, zinc and other nonferrous metals totaled 15.9 billion lb.

When a product is created, each and every person and company that touches it is challenged with making it better for the end customer. From the mined, smelted and refined product to the fabricated mill product shipped to the original equipment manufacturer's receiving dock, each link in the supply chain creates an ultimate value. The people who do this are the movers and shakers who are leading and innovating in the nonferrous metals supply chain.

"All this requires is an effective supply chain strategy," says Nancy Mailhot, the purchasing czar for Phelps Dodge Corp., Phoenix, Ariz. "But, remember, strategies are not easy to develop or successful if the purchasing and supply chain group doesn't understand how the strategy will impact overall business."

A mill, for example, must differentiate its products and services from others to provide a competitive edge, "but it still must meet the needs of customers downstream in the supply chain," says Don Commerford, chief commercial officer of Revere Copper Products Inc. in Rome, N.Y. "We are the marketing supply partner of the service centers, for example," he says, "since the distributors have become our extension to an even broader group of consumers in a multitude of markets."

It's true that service centers provide their suppliers with access to a broad base of customers, agrees Michael H. Goldberg, chief of buyers and sellers at Integris Metals, Minneapolis, Minn. "Our expertise and knowledge allow us to best match-up our customers with our suppliers so that value is maximized in the total supply chain."

See below to read more about this year's group of Nonferrous Metals Movers & Shakers and what they have to say about a wide range of subjects—from key success strategies to the impact of current manufacturing conditions to the role of the Internet—today and tomorrow—in purchasing or marketing.

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