From its inception in 1993 through the opening of the first mill in 1996 and on to today, Steel Dynamics Incorporated, SDI for short, has enjoyed a meteoric rise within the American steel industry. In only twelve short years of operation, the company has become the nation's fifth largest producer of carbon steel products. It is also among the most profitable American steel companies in terms of profit margins and operating profit per ton.

This information becomes more impressive when Keith Busse, chairman and CEO of the corporation, reveals that he and fellow founders Mark Millett and Richard Teets, Jr. created SDI amidst considerable industry skepticism.

"Many industry leaders thought the creation of Steel Dynamics Incorporated was a daunting task that would not be realized," Busse recalls. "After all, we were creating a brand new steel company, a start-up organization, without any pre-existing financial credentials."

Despite skeptics within the industry, the leaders of SDI moved ahead. Not only did the corporation survive, it thrived.

"In just a dozen years, SDI evolved from a proposed venture that stood no chance (according to others) to an $8 billion+ revenue organization," says Busse. "It is a pretty astonishing story. We're so busy, though, that it's tough to step back and be amazed."

What's the secret to SDI's rapid rise in an industry that has seen numerous steel producers sell, consolidate or declare bankruptcy in recent years? The answer lies in a series of strategic decisions that delivered additional depth and breadth to this strong organization.

The original business venture created a new, state-of-the-art flat-rolled steel facility in Butler, Indiana. According to Busse, the location was geographically desirable, with excellent transportation arteries, access to railroads, abundant energy, and close proximity to both customers and raw materials.

The initial goal for the mill was to double capacity from roughly 1.2 to 2.5 million tons, which is something the company has achieved over time. In addition, SDI focused on adding finishing to raw steel production.

"Our initial efforts revolved around the flat rolled steel segment of the market, which is the largest portion of the steel market," explains Busse. "Our success was greater than anyone anticipated."

While flat-rolled steel remains a core component of SDI, expansion and key acquisitions have further strengthened this corporation and exponentially broadened its horizons.

A few years into its existence, SDI branched into a new market with the development of a mill in Columbia City.