Coil Coaters

AZZ shifts executives in Precoat Metals segment

Written by Laura Miller

January 31, 2025

AZZ Inc. recently announced it is shaking up the duties and roles of two executives involved in its Precoat Metals segment.

Kurt Russell, Precoat’s current chief operating officer and former president, is moving into a senior vice president position within AZZ Inc. into the newly created role of chief strategic officer.

“We are excited to have Kurt Russell, with his tremendous experience in the metal coatings industry and successful track record leading AZZ Precoat Metals, move into the newly created chief strategic officer role to support our stated objective to grow more aggressively in the coatings space,” stated AZZ CEO and President Tom Ferguson.

Jeff Vellines, president of AZZ Precoat Metals for almost a year now, will remain in that role and also take on additional duties as Precoat’s COO.

“Both promotions are a testament to our leadership bench strength, commitment to developing great talent, and emphasis on executing our strategic plans,” he added.

Fort Worth, Texas-based independent galvanizer AZZ Inc. posted solid results in its most recent earnings report and continues to seek M&A opportunities within the galvanizing industry.

Recall that AZZ purchased St. Louis-based Precoat Metals for $1.28 billion in 2022.

Precoat Metals’ sales of $235.1 million accounted for 58% of AZZ’s total sales of $403.7 million in the quarter ended Nov. 30, 2024.

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has held a variety of positions within the steel industry since 2007, including reporting and editing for Steel Business Briefing/Platts, the Association for Iron and Steel Technology, and Kallanish Commodities, as well as marketing for what was then known as ThyssenKrupp Steel USA (now AM/NS Calvert). After a five-year hiatus working across other industries, she returned to steel in 2021 and has covered the flat rolled, tubular, and trade areas of the industry. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at laura@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7869.

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