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Company Profile
Facilities & Capabilities
History
Vision Statement
Management
The historical timelines record corporate achievements, guardianship and significant milestones since NISM's incorporation in 1961:

• Significant Corporate Milestones
• Significant Corporate Guardianship
•  Achievements


Significant Corporate Milestones

1961 • National Iron & Steel Mills Ltd (NISM) was incorporated on 12 August as a public company.
• NISM’s primary objective was to manufacture, export and trade in iron and steel products for the construction industry in Singapore, Malaysia and the region.
1963 • Meltshop started trial production.
• Test runs conducted on the rolling and re-rolling mills.
• A Public Issue was oversubscribed by 21 times.
1964 • NISM officially opened on 31 January.
1968 • Factory site increased by 198,375 square feet.
1971 • The third electric arc furnace commenced operations.
• NISM’s total output capacity from three arc furnaces and two induction furnaces was approximately 220,000 tonnes per year.
1980 • The automatic bar bundling machine was introduced to replace manual methods of bundling finished bars.
• Automation improved manpower utilisation and enhanced the company’s competitive position.
1981 • Two 20-tonne cranes were installed at Jurong Port to load and offload our products.
• Reduced discharge time by 50 percent.
• A 1,250-tonne scrap shear was commissioned.
1983 • The head office, called the GMO building, was built at a cost of $3.9 million.
1984 • MBM5 — a $45 million high-speed and automated wire rod mill was commissioned to produce reinforcement bars and wire rods.
1985 • The Meltshop computer system was commissioned to enable better process control of steel chemistry, alloy consumption, manpower and energy.
• A new ladle furnace was commissioned to enhance secondary steel refining and production of higher quality steel grades.
1986 • The Business Development Unit was established to explore new engines of growth.
1988 • The Research and Development Unit was set up to conduct applied research in engineering processing, automation and application of new materials.
1989 • A $9 million revamp of Continuous Casting Machine 1 and 2 was carried out to modify and enhance engineering and production capabilities.
1990 • NISM changed its name to NatSteel Ltd.
1993 • A 55-tonne Vacuum Oxygen Decarburisation furnace and station was installed to allow further refinement and production of high quality speciality steel.
1994 • A radiation detection system to screen all incoming scrap material for radioactive contamination was launched.
• Water utilisation in production processes was optimised.
1997 • A new 80-tonne Electric Arc Furnace was commissioned as part of the restructuring efforts to improve productivity and cost management.
1998 • The YESS system was launched. It offers real-time information for customers to monitor their projects and improve site management and productivity.
2000 • A real-time training application system was launched. It allows employees to apply for training courses and review courses electronically.
2001 • The NatSteel group was bought over by 98 Holdings.
2003 • A new e-leave system was introduced so that all employees can view their leave records and apply for leave on-line.
2004 • NatSteel Asia Pte Ltd was incorporated and the steel business was later transferred to it.
• A new improved Performance Management System was introduced. It enables staff’s training plans to be better aligned with business goals and needs.
• The Prosoft eTraining System was launched, a more comprehensive online platform to facilitate the staff development process.
2005 • Partnership between NatSteel Asia and Tata Steel was sealed.
2006 • NatSteel Asia's Vision, Mission, Values and Strategies were launched.
• A sidewall oxygen lance and carbon injection system was successfully installed in the Meltshop's electric arc furnace, enabling a reduction in production cost.
• NatSteel Asia's merchant bar mill achieved a resounding tonnage of 61,695mt – the greatest monthly figure wince the mill was installed in 1984.
• NatSteel Asia embarked on its business excellence journey with the Tata Business Excellence Model.
• An annualised saving of $16 million was reached through the Total Operational Performance programme.
2007 • NatSteel Asia launched its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, dubbed 'Building Beyond Borders', with a pledge of S$1 million over the next three years to community initiatives at its first-ever Golf Challenge.
2008 • As part of an internal restructuring exercise, the entire business of NatSteel Asia Pte Ltd was transferred to NatSteel Holdings Pte Ltd.

Significant Corporate Guardianship

1966 • NISM and Pioneer Industries Employees’ Union signed a three-year Collective Agreement.
1969 • The above agreement was extended by another five years.
1971 • A Works Council was formed to promote better understanding between the company and employees, to enhance productivity and quality standards.
• A second fume extractor was installed following the first in 1971 to further reduce atmospheric pollution and improve working conditions in the factory.
1973 • The National Iron Foundation was incorporated to provide endowments and grant scholarships to deserving students.
• The Sports & Recreation Club was formed to improve welfare and recreational amenities for employees.
1984 • The NISM Employees Union (NISMEU) and the Occupational Health Unit were established to improve the well-being of workers.
1992 • A pollution control system was installed to reduce dust emission.
1993 • A new complex was opened to provide workers with improved amenities such as an air-conditioned canteen and a social & recreational lounge.
• Trees were planted around the steel plant to beautify the environment for workers.
• Mini aquariums were set up in the various production centres for workers’ enjoyment.
• Catastrophic medical insurance introduced for staff on a 50-50 co-share basis between the employee and the company.
2004 • A new collective agreement was signed between the company and the NatSteel Employees Union, providing improved benefits for workers.
• The Sports and Recreation Club House was renovated and reopened.
2005 • Major retrofitting work was carried out on the fume extractor system as part of our ongoing maintenance and upgrading exercise.
2007 • With the new collective agreement signed between NatSteel Asia and the NatSteel Employees Union, the age ceiling for post-retirement employment contracts was extended to 65 years.
2008 • Another collective agreement was signed between NatSteel Asia's downstream operations and the Metal Industries Workers' Union.

Achievements

1983 • NTUC awarded the plaque of commendation in recognition of harmonious labour-management relations and high productivity.
1989 • The Japan Industrial Standards Authority gave the JIS Mark Award.
1992 • ISO 9002 certification.
1996 • Achieved the National IT Award for large scale use of information technology in managing business and manufacturing operations.
2000 • The first mini mill in the world to achieve the ISO 14001 certification in recognition of international standards of environmental management and best practices during the manufacture of steel products.
2001 • The People Developer Standard, a national recognition for quality people development practices.
2003 • The ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001 certifications for our quality management system, and good environment, safety and health programmes.
• External auditors verified that the Safety Management System meets the Ministry of Manpower’s requirements.
• The Singapore Health Award (Silver) for our excellent workplace health initiatives.
2004 • The Singapore Family Friendly Employer Award and the Singapore Health Award (Gold) for family-friendly policies and excellent healthcare for staff.
• Two golds, three silvers and one bronze at the National Innovative Quality Circle Convention.
2005 • NatSteel Asia won the Singapore Health Award (Gold).
• Our staff won four golds, six silvers and one bronze at the National In-house Innovative Quality Circle Convention.
2006 • NatSteel Asia achieved three prestigious awards: the People Developer Standard, Singapore Health Award and Work-Life Excellence Award.
• NatFerrous, a subsidiary of NatSteel Asia, won the Fastest Growing 50 Award for being ranked amongst the top 50 fastest-growing companies in Singapore.
2007 • NatSteel Asia was awarded the UK CARES, BS 4449:2005 and BS 4449:1997 (Grade B500B and 460B Bar) certifications for our reinforcement bars.
2008 • NatSteel Holdings achieved Work-Life Excellence Award for the third time running since 2004, as well as the Singapore HEALTH Award (Platinum).
2010 • NatSteel Holdings achieved Work-Life Excellence Award for the fourth time
• NatSteel’s commitment towards environmental excellence and protection has won the company the Singapore Environmental Achievement Award (Merit). Organised by the Singapore Environment Council with support from the National Environment Agency, it is the most prestigious environmental award in Singapore for honouring companies for their green practices.