CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Olympic Steel
Incorporated
Entry Level and Internship Program
Kathleen Russell
MRKT 601 Sec.50
I. Introduction:
Steel and the Steel Industry
Steel is very essential in modern everyday life. Steel is used to construct large buildings
and infrastructure and also used for many methods of transportation. Although very simple in
its appearance, steel and its construction are complex and detailed. In general, steel is an alloy
that is made up of iron ore and other components. Steel is 100 percent recyclable. The most
common element used in combination with iron ore is carbon. Steel can be made up of many
di!erent compositions and physical properties. These combinations of compound and physical
properties are referred to in the steel industry as grades. Steel can be put through many
di!erent processes and “nishes that vary depending on customers’ requirements. Steel may
seem boring and dull but at a deeper level of its breakdown, it becomes intricate and
complicated.
The U.S. steel industry is a $75+ billion business and is composed of 1200 companies.
The steel industry in the U.S. makes up about 5% of U.S. manufacturing. Although the steel
industry continues to employ thousands of American workers, the proportion of the world steel
supply produced in the United States has signi”cantly declined since the 1970’s. However,
companies such as Nucor and OSI have continued to grow and hire more employees over the
years. According to Ohio Steel Council, the total Ohio jobs tied to steel is 96,913 (“Economic
impact”, 2012). Ohio Steel Council also reported that “Ohio steel companies spend about $4.4
million a year on training and education” (“Economic impact”, 2012). The Steel industry around
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the nation employs a large number of people while giving back to the community economically
and educationally.
Olympic Steel Inc. Company History
Olympic Steel Inc. (OSI) was founded in 1954 by Sol Siegal in Cleveland, Ohio. Originally,
Sol and his two brothers were the only three employees. Their main business was warehousing
and distribution of steel with li;le to no processing equipment. In 1984, a family management
transition occurred at OSI and sparked a more progressive a=tude throughout the company. All
across the United States are 19 di!erent strategically placed OSI Divisions. All the facilities are
located to serve customers who are located in steel intensive areas. Headquarters is still located
in Cleveland, right behind the Cleveland Division. OSI believes that “A signi”cant portion of OSI’s
business comes from established customers; customers that know and trust us for service,
quality and comprehensive” (“About us”, 2012). We also believe that customers appreciate their
hard work, customer service and quality.
Olympic Steel is a publically held metals service center that is focused on achieving
pro”table growth in a safe and professional manner. Some of Olympic’s customers include
manufacturers and fabricators of transportation and material handling equipment, automobiles,
construction and farm machinery, storage tanks, environmental equipment, appliances, food
service and electrical equipment. OSI believes in creating a work environment that challenges
and rewards their employees. Some of our core values are accountability, corporate citizenship,
customer satisfaction, employee development, and others. These values are very important to
employees and customers of OSI and it is stressed that one core value does not come before the
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other. OSI o!ers many bene”ts and services. Some of those services include and Educational
Assistance program, medical coverage, a 401(k), and many others. Employing students as
interns is also something in which Olympic Steel “nds pride and enjoyment.
Olympic Steel Inc. General Business Description
Today, OSI has processing operations across the United States of America. According to
OSI, “[our] enterprise has an enormously wider range, focused on growth, geographic and
customer diversity and the value-added processing of Fat-rolled metals” (“About us”, 2012).
Olympic buys material from well-known companies such as U.S. Steel, Arcelor Mi;al Steel,
Nucor, and other domestic and foreign steel mills. The steel inventory includes material such as
carbon, coated and stainless steel sheet, coil and plate. Each Olympic division has di!erent
processing capabilities which may include cut to length, tempering, burning, blanking, sli=ng,
roll forming, machining, welding, tension leveling, shearing, edge rolling, shot blasting, and
more. OSI has the con“dence that our inventory and services that can provide any customer
with the products they need when we need them.
Cleveland Division
The Cleveland Division will be the main focus of this business critique/recommendation
paper. The Cleveland campus is comprised of three buildings: our corporate headquarters, our
Cleveland division, and our heavy plate processing and warehouse. The oJce departments
include sales, production, human resources, traJc, credit, purchasing, quality, operations, and
controls. The steel manufacturing services available are the leveling cut to length, laser
processing, oxyfuel processing, plasma processing, and temper passed processing. Our company
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uses outside trucks as well as our own. The Cleveland Division serves customers across the
eastern United States, and supports our Chicago, Georgia and Pennsylvania locations through a
dedicated Feet of trucks. This division is the most pro”table of all divisions and is expected to
do well. Some major customers that the Cleveland Division supplies for are JLG, Gradall, and
John Deere.
II. Olympic Steel Intern/Entry Level Program:
At Olympic Steel Olympic Steel, it is made very clear that they value employees at every
level of the business and is commi;ed to helping each employee excel in their role with the
company. All current and potential employees are treated equally and respecOully. On our
company’s internal exchange information website, Ossie (2012), it states the following:
Essential to this success is a strong foundation, built during the initial onboarding and
orientation phase. It is Olympic Steel’s policy to ensure all employees are provided with
a thorough introduction to the Company to allow seamless assimilation and full
engagement with company programs, policies, procedures, history, mission, Core Values,
and other critical components of the business. In addition, the Company commits to
providing new employees with all necessary training and access to the tools and
resources required to ensure each individual is able to safely and e!ectively carry-out
the duties described in their speci”c job description.
As stated on the website, there are many types of training and educational steel programs
available. Olympic Steel has implemented a program for all new hires, entry level and interns.
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Pre-Hire/First Day Standards
Before a new employee is oJcially hired, there are criteria and standards that need to
be met and followed. It is a human resource representative responsibility to make sure it gets
ful”lled. A letter will be sent out to new hires welcoming them and listing details such as their
direct supervisor and oJcial job title. Olympic Steel provides forms and check lists that make
sure all criteria are followed and completed. Figure 1 is the checklist for the orientation and new
hire. Some of the pre-hire tasks are background checks, sending out an organizational
announcement, scheduling, and se=ng up the new-hire’s work station. It is important to
Olympic Steel that new employees feel welcomed and expected on their “rst day. Making sure
the pre-hire tasks are completed is crucial. Internships are treated the same when it comes to
the hiring and orientation processes.
An employee’s “rst day is also crucial in the new hire program, especially at an entry
level or internship position. As interns, the business world may be quiet intimidating and/or
overwhelming. Creating a welcoming and professional atmosphere is important for “rst
impressions. Figure 1 also lists the criteria for the “rst day of new hires. That list includes
workstation orientation, completing important paperwork, a facility tour, and so forth. The “rst
day is also when the new employee will receive a welcome packet that includes an itinerary for
the “rst week. Intern’s welcome packets include an itinerary for the entire time the intern will
be employed. All employees have their own work area with resources such as a phone,
computer, pens, and paper. Introducing a new hire is also important to Olympic Steel. Whenever
there is a new hire, there is always a meet and greet breakfast so employees can introduce
themselves to the new hire.
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Figure 1. Olympic Steel Orientation & New Hire Checklist
