Dofasco

ArcelorMittal Dofasco is a big steel company in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It makes many types of steel that are used in buildings, cars, and other important things. Dofasco is part of ArcelorMittal, which is the largest steel company in the whole world. Even though it is part of this big company, Dofasco works on its own and makes its own decisions. Steel from Dofasco helps build strong and safe places all around the world.

History

In 1912, two brothers named Clifton and Frank A. Sherman started a steel company called Dominion Foundries and Steel in Hamilton, Ontario. Over the years, the company grew and changed its name a few times, finally becoming known as Dofasco in 1980.

In 1954, a son of one of the founders introduced a faster way to make steel called basic oxygen steelmaking. This new method made steel much quicker and cleaner than older ways. Dofasco also owned other companies for a while, like a train car maker and another steel company, but later sold them.

In 2006, a big steel company from Luxembourg named Arcelor bought Dofasco. Even though Dofasco’s leaders didn’t want to be bought at first, Arcelor offered more money, and the deal went through. Later, Arcelor joined with an even bigger steel company called Mittal, and Dofasco became part of their worldwide operations.

Acquisition

Labour relations

Dofasco is different from its rival Stelco because it is not unionized. This has helped Dofasco avoid many of the work stoppages that have affected Stelco. In 2007 and again in 2020, Dofasco was named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers, the only steelmaker to receive this honor.

Since 1937, Dofasco has held a big Christmas party every year. It usually has around 30,000 guests and a huge tree that is 30 feet tall. The party has been held in different places over the years, including large mill buildings, Copps Coliseum, a company-owned recreation park, and most recently, the Ancaster Fairgrounds.

Pollution

Steelmaking in Canada has often caused pollution. In 1989, Dofasco and another company were named as major polluters in Ontario. They released harmful substances into Hamilton Harbour, but have since worked to clean up and improve water quality.

In 2014, the company admitted to breaking air quality rules in 2012 and paid fines. In 2015, an accident caused a large cloud of iron oxide dust to escape, and the company has been taking steps to reduce air pollution.

Company slogan

Since 1970, the company has used the slogan: "Our product is steel. Our strength is people." This slogan has helped make the company well-known across the country. It was created by a company in Hamilton called Kelly Advertising, which has worked with them since 1927. The words show how much the company values its workers. For a little while, the slogan also included: "Our home is Hamilton."

Leadership

Dofasco has had many leaders over the years. Some of the presidents include Clifton William Sherman from 1912 to 1945, Frank Albert Sherman from 1945 to 1953, and Arthur George Wright from 1953 to 1957. Other presidents include Frederick Allen Loosley, Frank Howard Sherman, Paul Joseph Phoenix, and many more up to the present day.

Some of the chairmen of the board include Clifton William Sherman from 1945 to 1955, Frank Albert Sherman from 1955 to 1967, and Frank Howard Sherman from 1982 to 1987. Other chairmen include Paul Joseph Phoenix, William Laurie Wallace, John Thomas Mayberry, and Donald Allison Pether.