Nucor Case Study

3/ What is your recommendation regarding Nucleon’s long-term manufacturing strategy? What should this company look like in 10 years (e.g. an R&D boutique, an R&D boutique with pilot scale manufacturing capabilities, or an integrated manufacturing enterprise)?

More attention to own business than to competitors is their strategy. South magazine observed that Nucor is “stripped down, no nonsense” organization. It keeps maintaining low cost and efficiency, which is the key to making profit in steel industry, by keeping the employee force at the level it should be, empowering them, being totally honest, involving them in decision making process, and using effective incentive compensation system.

There are many competitive forces that are affecting Nucor Corporation. Some of the primary ones are the market size, number of rivals, and pace of technological change.

Nucor has been facing many industry challenges including the overall development of the industry. They are competing with foreign firms on cost and efficiency. Nucor has a low cost strategy because as they say their product is not necessarily very attractive. It does not have attractive or unique selling features other than its cost. The commodity of steel is in a very competitive market. Nucor understands that innovation and productivity are going to be key factors to keep their buyers satisfied with their prices. Nucor is facing many challenges with a growing world market and many of their competitors merging in order to create stronger more dominate

The core strategy of Nucor is that of cost leadership via the use of technology. Through innovation and the use of high quality technology to process their steel, Nucor was able to achieve this cost advantage.

The challenges faced by Nucleon, Inc. present more of an issue with how to take full advantage of an opportunity in front of them, rather than a problem that poses a threat to the company. As a company in its early stages, only putting out its first product, it is critical that it is done in a manner that allows the budding firm to grow. The main issue here is determining the most effective means by which they are to manufacture and market their first product, CRP-1. Doing so requires in-depth evaluation of three strategic options, all with their own benefits and potential risks. The problem statement, therefore, is as follows:

Identify the potential risks which affect the company and manage these risks within its risk appetite;

Core competencies, capabilities and capacity: This option would require a high level of changes within the organization. Nucleon’s existing core competencies and capabilities is in the area of R&D. It has no prior experience of production and manufacturing. Manufacturing is significantly different than R&D. It would require Nucleon to acquire different talent, skillsets, experience and very difference focus in developing manufacturing competencies and capabilities.

Upon Review of Nucor Corporation’s current findings, analysis of internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as a comparative analysis at the industrial level of the steel industry, the following includes a summary of findings and recommendations for Nucor Steel Corporation:

Nucor Corporation is made up of 11,500 teammates whose goal is to "Take Care of Our Customers." We are accomplishing this by being the safest, highest quality, lowest cost, most productive and most profitable steel and steel products company in the world. We are committed to doing this while being cultural and environmental stewards in our communities where we live and work. We are succeeding by working together.

The National Steel Car company is based in Canada in Ontario and it happens to be the leading railroad freight cars company in North America. The company has been respected for its respected value in the market and has always been committed to success. National Steel Company is 9001:2008ISO certified, and it is the only freight car in the region to have been awarded the certification. It was established in the year 1912 and took the right turn when it was purchased by Gregory James Aziz who has made the company improve capacity since the purchase date in the year 2005. Greg Aziz happens to be the president, chairman, and the company’s CEO and has dedicated his time and resources to the company success. His only commitment is making the company

Over the years Nucor emerged as a market leader in the American steel producing industry due to its sustainable growth strategies and incorporation of sophisticated technologies that enables the company to grow exponential and become a market leader by offering high quality steel products at lower costs. The company backed its growth strategies by massive integration in the American market. However, this growth strategy proved to be predominant in capturing the American market thus ignoring the potential competitive threats that could come from foreign steel producers. This included both steel producers integrating with American minimills and foreign producers who used America as a lucrative export market and dumped their products.

Nucor has created a company that is both internally and externally fit to the environment. The firm responds well to the driving forces of the industry and has opted to take a low-cost strategy with the relentless pursuit of innovation and strong employee productivity in order to combat the issues of the steel industry. In 2000, Nucor decided to expand its operations by acquiring new firms and new factories while continuing with its low-cost operations. The competitive strategy of Nucor has helped it become one of the leading manufacturers of steel and steel products in the United States.

Nucor Corporation is an American producer of steel and related products founded in 1940 and presently headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Currently Nucor Corporation is the largest mini mill steelmakers in the United States. Nucor also ranks as the largest steel producer in the United States of America. Nucor prides itself on focusing on its commitment to the growth and their team mates, the elimination of hierarchy in management as well as looking internally for innovative ideas to remain technologically and economically competitive. Nucor attributes their success to their team. So the questions I will propose in this paper is with the majority of the company’s workforce being skilled workers. Can a millennial be successful in a corporation of this magnitude? Will Their innovative ideas be over shadowed by their inexperience?

NTPC has gone beyond the thermal power generation. It has diversified into hydro power, coal mining, power equipment manufacturing, oil & gas exploration, power trading & distribution. NTPC is now in the entire power value chain and is poised to become an Integrated Power Major.