Nucor Steel's Tuscaloosa plant lost power for almost a week after the April 27th 2011 tornado. But while the plant was idled, its workers were not.

Nucor kept the workers on the payroll and encouraged them to get out and help the community and their neighbors in any way possible. Employees cut and moved fallen trees, delivered emergency supplies and used the company's heavy equipment, like forklifts, to unload emergency supplies at relief centers.

Employees also distributed more than 300 portable, company purchased generators to those in need, including at least two churches that served as emergency relief centers. That effort has not gone unnoticed.

The Steel Manufacturers Association has named Nucor the recipient of the 2012 SMA Achievement in Community Involvement Award. The award will be presented to Charlotte based Nucor executives at the trade organization's annual members conference in Washington DC on May 15th 2012.

The Steel Manufacturers Association said that "Nucor responded immediately to the devastation that followed the tornado (outbreak) in April 2011. Facilities in Decatur and Tuscaloosa organized and assisted in rebuilding their communities, clearing debris and donating manpower and equipment for relief. Nucor also mobilized its other locations to participate in the recovery efforts and donations."

Mr Randy Skagen VP & GM of Nucor's Tuscaloosa operation said that the local effort to help the community started right after the storm hit. Employers went out that night to help.

The company purchased generators and gave them to employees and others in need. Most of the generators were returned after power was restored, and Nucor donated and shipped them to Joplin, Mo., which was hit by a severe tornado in late May 2012.

Records kept by Nucor's Tuscaloosa plant showed that it spent almost USD 250,000 for generators and rental equipment used for community recovery efforts. The plant's workers logged more than 9,600 volunteer hours to help the community.

Mr Skagen said that "We were without power at the plant for 61⁄2 days after the tornado, so we sent employees out to help wherever they were needed. We are part of the community, and we do whatever we can in good times or bad to help."

In addition to its plants in Tuscaloosa and Decatur, Nucor's Alabama operations include plants in Birmingham, Eufaula and Fort Payne.

(Sourced from www.tuscaloosanews.com)