The Steel Market Development Institute announced that Dr Roger Heimbuch has received the 2011 Market Development Industry Leadership Award for his management role in the Auto Steel Partnership and his contributions to increasing the use of advanced high strength steels in the automotive marketplace.

Dr Heimbuch was honored at the American Iron & Steel Institute's 118th General Meeting on May 3rd 2011 in Colorado Springs. He will be presented with the award on May 18th 2011 at the 10th Annual Great Designs in Steel Seminar at Laurel Manor Conference Center in Livonia.

Mr Daniel G Mull chairman of SMDI and executive vice president of sales and marketing for ArcelorMittal USA LLC said that "Through his work with the Auto Steel Partnership, Dr Roger has been instrumental in advancing steel as the automotive material of choice in North America. The Partnership has produced several technical innovations that have revolutionized the way that cars are designed, making them more fuel efficient while keeping them affordable for consumers. Dr Roger's leadership helped to secure the funding and technical expertise that increased the use of advanced high-strength steel technologies in the marketplace. "

According to Mr Mull, Dr Heimbuch helped to secure funding from the National Science Foundation, which together with the US Department of Energy and the ASP, provided USD 3 million for research to be conducted at nine universities to develop a new generation of AHSS grades.

Dr Heimbuch served as executive director of the ASP from 2004 through 2010 after retiring from General Motors Co. In this capacity, he provided coordination and guidance on programs that combined the work of automotive customers with the US Department of Energy, the US Advanced Materials Program and the SMDI's Automotive Applications Council steel companies in research projects supporting the use of AHSS for vehicle mass reduction and improved safety.

The Market Development Industry Leadership Award, which is presented each year to steel partners or customers, recognizes those who have made significant contributions to advancing the competitive use of steel in the marketplace as a direct result of Market Development initiatives. Nominees are chosen by the board of directors of SMDI.