John Sims, long time employee of ATI, brings with him a rich history of experience and a deep pool of knowledge that will be a valuable asset for ATI Wah Chang.

Sims joined ATI in 1996 as a Product Metallurgist at ATI Allvac’s Bar & Rod Mill in Richburg, South Carolina. He advanced through a variety of technical and operational assignments at Richburg becoming Plant Manager in 1998. In 1999, he became General Manager of the $200 million Bar, Rod & Coil Strategic Business Unit with commercial, technical and manufacturing responsibility of ATI Allvac’s U.S. product lines.

From October 2000 through August 2001, Sims assumed additional operational responsibility becoming General Manager of East Coast Operations, which included Monroe and Bakers, North Carolina; Richburg, South Carolina; and Lockport, New York Plants. Sims became Vice President of Operational Excellence in August 2001, leading ATI Allvac’s lean manufacturing pilot program.

In September 2002, Sims became Vice President of Operations with responsibility for ATI Allvac’s U.S. manufacturing sites in North & South Carolina, New York, Oregon and Washington. His responsibilities included engineering, safety & environmental, planning and manufacturing functions as well as leading overall continuous improvement efforts. In 2006, he was given global responsibility for ATI Allvac operations including the ATI Allvac Ltd. business unit in Sheffield, England.

In October 2008, Sims was appointed president of ATI Wah Chang. When asked why he accepted the appointment, Sims replied “ATI Wah Chang has a long tradition of cutting-edge research and development combined with innovative manufacturing processes to meet demanding customer requirements.” Sims went on to say, “That heritage combined with ATI Wah Chang’s opportunities for global growth, and the chance to lead a very intelligent and dedicated group of people were the attractions for me in accepting this responsibility.”

Sims also gave Outlook some insight into how he plans to bring continued success to ATI Wah Chang: “I believe that our success at ATI Wah Chang will be determined by how we capitalize on the talent of our people, how we engage our employees in continuously improving every facet of the business, our ability to bring value to customers as a global supply chain partner; how effective we are in leveraging the breadth of ATI’s marketing and manufacturing capabilities, and understanding our role in helping to improve the communities where we live.” In summation, Sims told Outlook, “I look forward to working with our employees, customers and community leaders as we meet today’s opportunities and prepare for the challenges of the future.”
Before joining ATI, Sims served in a variety of operational and staff assignments during a 14-year career in the United States Navy including enlisted service in the Nuclear Power Program aboard the USS Los Angeles (SSN-688) and commissioned officer assignments in the USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58), USS Yorktown (CG-48), Cruiser-Destroyer Group Eight aboard USS Eisenhower (CVN-69), the Bureau of Naval Personnel and the Navy Staff in the Pentagon.

John received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida in 1984 and a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California in 1990.