five to ten years, and there is going
to be a shortage on the supply side,”
says Bartkoski. “We also saw an
opportunity where we could build a
one-stop-metallurgical-shop where
we could sell three types of product.
To strengthen our supply chain route
and dependability, we have built a
unique alliance with the CN Railroad
and Ridley Terminals. This partnership
and travel corridor have garnered our
exported product with a huge advan-
tage to the Asian steel producers.”
Conuma has very aggressively rebuilt
the properties. Conuma got all three
sites up and running in around six
months each, almost half the time of
a traditional operation. “We felt the
quicker we could come up to speed,
the quicker we could get market pres-
ence. Was it tough? Was it difficult
on the whole team here? The answer
is yes it was. We knew the opportun-
ist window was open and thus the
growth timing was now. The key was
responsible balanced growth, with-
out cutting corners on safety or the
environmental or social responsibil-
ity. Conuma safety results have been
6 BUSINESS ELITE CANADA | NOVEMBER 2018
