Celebrating Excellence in Industrial Craftsmanship!

<

We are proud to announce that the 2025 BAC Craft Award for Best Refractory Project has been awarded to the #63 Stove Reline at the U.S. Steel Corporation Gary Works plant in Gary, Indiana. This $11.7 million, five-month endeavor showcased the unmatched skill and precision of 35 dedicated BAC Indiana/Kentucky members, who played a critical role in delivering this complex and essential project.

Managed and executed by Songer Steel Services, the project demanded expert craftsmanship, as teams worked on live equipment, blast furnaces, and surrounding stoves—where precision, safety, and efficiency were paramount. Utilizing specialized refractory materials, including high-temperature mortar and various fire bricks, the crew meticulously reconstructed the stove’s intricate structure, ensuring the long-term reliability of the blast furnace.

From Team Songer

This project is a testament to our skilled workforce's dedication and expertise. Their commitment to quality and safety keeps America’s steel industry running strong. Congratulations to all involved in setting the standard for industrial excellence!

Gregg P. & Mike A.

About the BAC

The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers has fought to support union members, improving their quality of life on and off the job. They represent the most highly skilled trowel trades craftworkers across the continent and have recognized outstanding Unions and community service over the years with the BAC Craft Awards Program since 1986.