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MSA Provides Meltshop Scrap Optimization System and Scrap Loading System to Algoma Steel Inc. PITTSBURGH, PA - May 27, 2008 - Management Science Associates, Inc.'s (MSA) Metals and Advanced Manufacturing Division provided a Meltshop Scrap Optimization System (MSOS) and Scrap Loading System to Algoma Steel Inc. of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. According to Patrick J. Gallagher, MSA Metals Division Vice President, the MSOS is comprised of a scrap purchasing optimization model and a dynamic steelmaking scrap charge preparation model. The optimization model used in these applications determines the most cost effective mix of raw materials required to meet the chemical, schedule, and residual constraints identified. The MSOS purchasing optimization model determines what raw materials must be acquired to meet a given production schedule, considering raw material costs, operating constraints, and in-house inventory. The built-in sensitivity analysis of the model provides the ability to compare various suppliers against one another and to show how much a specific material's cost must be reduced to be selected by the model. The steelmaking scrap charge preparation model calculates, on a heat-by-heat basis, the scrap type and amount necessary for the charge based on the current scrap contained in the charge box and the grade specification being produced. The resultant charge box loading instructions for each heat, including the amount and types of scrap to be loaded, are communicated to the crane operator as part of the Scrap Loading System provided by MSA. "By using the optimization models provided in our system, Algoma Steel should realize significant cost savings in their raw material purchases and production costs," Mr. Gallagher explained. "MSA's long history in developing meltshop automation and optimization systems was a key consideration when we selected a vendor for this project. Algoma's team had the opportunity to witness the MSA system prior to final selection," explained Mr. Joseph Nardi, Superintendent, Material Re-Processing with Algoma Steel Inc. "MSA's project team worked very closely with Algoma during the development, commissioning, and training phases so that we would meet our project goals." MSA also supplied Algoma Steel Inc. with a Box Tracking System that provides the ability to track scrap boxes as they arrive in the scrap staging and loading areas. The system interfaces with various tag readers to determine a box's arrival and departure to and from these areas. Location maps and transit screens show the locations of all scrap boxes known to the system. The crane operator has access to an under crane scrap yard map to assist in the charge box loading function. MSA's Metals and Advanced Manufacturing Division is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based group that specializes in providing complete turnkey computer systems, process control and modeling services, system design, and facility-wide management systems to a variety of process and manufacturing industries. It is perhaps best known for its work in automating steel mills and its Raw Material Data Aggregation Service™ (RMDAS) for steel scrap, but it also provides services for e-commerce, chemical processes, pulp and paper industry, environmental services, laboratory information management, business intelligence, and other applications. The Division has provided such services since 1982. ABOUT MANAGEMENT SCIENCE ASSOCIATES, INC. (MSA) Management Science Associates, Inc. engineers and commercializes information-based models, processes and systems for industry and government. Since being incorporated in 1963, MSA has partnered with customers to identify areas in which innovative analyses and uses of data can foster growth or drive efficiency. Combining its expertise with the tools of information management, analytics, data management, software and systems technology, MSA develops, integrates, implements and maintains products and services in various functional and vertical domains. It helps customers put their data to work. With more than 800 employees, MSA provides solutions for over 300 clients, including many of the largest U.S. and foreign corporations and institutions. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, it also has offices in New York; Chicago; High Point; Atlanta; Cardiff, UK; Shanghai; and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. More MSA information can be found at www.msa.com. ABOUT ALGOMA STEEL INC. A member of the Essar Group, Algoma Steel Inc. is based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. As a fully integrated steel producer, Algoma's revenues are derived primarily from the manufacture and sale of rolled steel products including hot and cold rolled sheet and plate.