LiteSteel Technologies Teams Up with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity to Make a Dream Come True

TROUTVILLE, VA, September 01, 2010 (Press-News.org) Next summer, a family will be moving into a new home at 2850 N. 21st St., in Milwaukee - thanks to Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity and a donation from LiteSteel Technologies.

The donation came in the form of a 30-foot long LiteSteel beam (LSB ), which was installed by a team of volunteers Aug. 19. LSB is a patented, cold-formed, light weight steel structural beam that combines the strength of steel but with the installation workability normally associated with wood products.

The beam arrived with the lumber package the night before from Bliffert Lumber, the pro-dealer Milwaukee Habitat regularly uses for its homes. Bob Kaiser, a volunteer working on the two-story home, used a circular saw with a steel-cutting blade to cut the beam in just a few seconds to a precise measurement of 27 feet to run across the length of the home's basement. Kaiser said most of the homes he helps build for Milwaukee Habitat uses LVLs for the structural support, but found working with LSB had its advantages.

"Working with LSB was fairly easy," he said. "I think it's a lot better than LVLs in that we don't have to nail them together. It did save us time, and for someone like me, the weight of the product enters into the equation. This beam is lighter than LVLs and it's just easier to work with."

When the beam was ready for installation, a few volunteers picked it up and carried it to the basement, sliding it across the foundation and into place in a matter of minutes. The home on North 21st Street is just one of 20 being built in the neighborhood by Milwaukee Habitat. When finished this two-story home will measure about 1,400 square feet, with four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

"We're very pleased to make a donation to Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity," said Jeff Hoffman, vice president business development, LiteSteel Technologies America. "Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity serves the greater good for the community, and we're happy to be a part of that."

"Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity is thrilled to partner with LiteSteel Technologies to provide state-of-the-art materials for our homes that will ultimately benefit our partner families," said Melissa Herguth, development director, Milwaukee Habitat. "Donated materials help us keep our costs low so we can help build more homes in partnership with low-income families."

LSB is available in 12 different sizes ranging in nominal beam depth from 8 to 14 inches. Follow LSB on Facebook by becoming a fan - click here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/LiteSteel-beam/120823267963236?ref=sgm.

About LiteSteel Technologies America
LiteSteel Technologies America is a OneSteel Group Company -- an $AU6 billion major integrated Australian steel company whose shares are listed on the Sydney Stock Exchange. For more information on LiteSteel Technologies America, visit: www.LiteSteelbeam.com or call toll free at 877-285-2607.