(HOUSTON, TX) — Leonard A. Bedell, president and chief executive officer of Mobil Steel International, Inc. for the past year, recently was named to Mobil Steel’s board of directors and joined the company’s ownership as a shareholder. Bedell is a graduate of Texas A&M University-Kingsville, an active member of the A&M-Kingsville College of Business Advisory Board, and a past board member and president of the A&M-Kingsville Javelina Alumni Association.
Mobil Steel’s board and shareholders recognized Bedell for his efforts in improving the company’s production efficiencies, contract procurement and financial strength, as well as customer service and vendor partnerships. Bedell has focused on initiatives to enable Mobil Steel’s personnel to improve operational efficiencies, customer delivery schedules, and vendor partner relationships.
“We have focused on our personnel and providing resources necessary to improve our goal of meeting and exceeding our customers’ required scheduling and quality of product,” Bedell said. Mobil Steel recently added substantial employee benefits, providing 401(K) and profit sharing plans and improved insurance, to retain and recruit key personnel.
“The continued growth of our business and improved employee benefits allows us to attract talented employees and retain our experienced personnel,” Bedell said. “We believe our business environment and Mobil Steel’s improved capabilities provide the momentum to expand our customer base and to meet and exceed our customers’ requirements.”
Mobil Steel completed the certification of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) during 2006. The AISC is the preeminent certification standard for the steel fabrication industry. “We are extremely proud of the significant efforts of our employees to complete this rigorous certification during a period of time when we were extremely busy,” Bedell noted.
Mobil Steel’s general manager, Mark Scott, rejoined Mobil Steel in 2006 after several leadership stints at major steel fabrication and erection companies. Richard W. Friel, who has 40 years in the manufacturing and fabrication industry and more than a decade at Mobil Steel leading operations and business development, was named senior vice president. In April, Alan Stanley joined Mobil Steel as quality assurance and quality control manager for the steel fabrication business.
Bedell brings more than 30 years of management experience to Mobil Steel, including significant expertise in construction and production management disciplines. In addition to being an adept corporate leader, Bedell, an Accounting major from A&M
Kingsville and a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA), has experience in deal structuring, negotiations and acquisitions. He is accomplished in steering troubled companies through successful business turnarounds. Bedell’s experience in implementing initiatives to accelerate revenue enhancement, profitability, and cost containment, as well as product and services marketing, facilitated Mobil Steel’s emergence in 2006 as a growing steel fabricator. Mobil Steel helps meet owner and contractor requirements for projects in the petroleum, petrochemical, power generation and other industrial and commercial industries.
“In an ever-changing economic environment, Mobil Steel has demonstrated that we can meet the production requirements of our customers with continuously improved quality and ontime delivery,” Bedell said. “Our employees and vendor partners have created a momentum that will propel Mobil Steel into a successful future.”
Mobil Steel’s South Wayside facility in Houston has production capacity of 1,100 tons per month in its 80,000 square feet of plant facilities under roof. The 8.5-acre site is conveniently located within major freeway access to the refining and petrochemical industry in South Texas.
Mobil Steel is a certified member of the American Institute of Steel Construction, Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated General Contractors, and the American Welding Society. As a member of these organizations, Mobil Steel qualifies to appear on essential industrial and commercial bid lists within the industry.
Bedell, who lives in Houston, is a native of South Texas and remains active in Texas A&M–Kingsville university affairs and alumni activities. In addition to actively participating on the College of Business Advisory Board, he is a member of the President’s Circle and a lifetime Century Club member of the Javelina Alumni Association.