February 10, 2006

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today joined United States Steel employees at its Troy-based Automotive Center to unveil a prototype of the sled that will be used by members of the USA Luge Team during the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy, beginning today.

In 2004, U.S. Steel became USA Luge’s official steel designer and supplier. Since then, U.S. Steel has worked closely with coaches and athletes to research and develop new high-tech steel runners for the USA Luge Team. This marks the first time in Team USA’s history that one of its sled entries in the Olympic Games will contain 100 percent All-American steel blades.

“This is a chance for us to show the world a product researched and developed by our highly trained, highly skilled workers,” Granholm said. “We know all of the Olympic luge teams will be admiring U.S. Steels products and we want to make those products for them here in Michigan. That will be a gold medal for Michigan.”

Gov. Granholm applauded the team of U.S. Steel researchers and owners of other Michigan-based firms that contributed to the project, including Mark Schmidt of Atlas Tool in Roseville, Darrin Postek of Varsity Welding in Troy, Don Kohler of D&D Machine Inc. in Troy, William Bowen of Metal Supermarkets in Troy and Edward Rolinski of Advanced Heat Treat Corp. in Monroe.

Following a tour of U.S. Steel’s Automotive Center facilities, Gov. Granholm signed a 12-foot-wide banner offering good luck to USA Luge Team members, including Erin Hamlin. Hamlin is using a sled with U.S. Steel runners — commonly referred to as “steels” in the sport — during the women’s singles competition.

The banner will be signed by all of the employees at the Automotive Center and mailed to the athletes in Torino, Italy. The luge races are scheduled to begin on Saturday, Feb. 11.

“U.S. Steel is honored to have Gov. Granholm with us today to celebrate American ingenuity exemplified in Michigan manufacturing,” said Peter Alvarado, general manager of the U.S. Steel Automotive Center. “We would all like to see U.S. Steel help our U.S. athletes bring U.S. Gold back home.”