August 20, 2018
Raul M. Gutierrez Muguerza
Chief Executive Officer
Deacero
Ave Lazaro Cardenas #2333
Col. Zona Loma Larga Oriente
San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo León
C.P. 66266
Sent: Via Email
Dear Mr. Gutiérrez,
When Deacero acquired Mid Continent Nail Corporation in 2012, you stood in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and said,
“We want to grow Mid Continent and have the manufacturing presence in the United States, and Poplar Bluff is
ideally located in the center of the country, which we see as a competitive advantage.”
Because of the hardworking people of Poplar Bluff, that competitive advantage is stronger than ever today.
Indeed, I visited with the employees of Mid Continent this past Friday and I saw firsthand their strong
dedication to their craft and their passionate desire to keep manufacturing products made in America.
Mid Continent employees told me that they believe your company is committed long-term to the Poplar Bluff
factory. However, there are reports that your company may completely shut down the factory by Labor Day of
this year because of the ongoing negotiations over tariffs.
As the company awaits word from U.S. Department of Commerce on approval for 24 exclusions, I strongly
urge you to keep the factory open. Do not let the good people of Poplar Bluff down and go back on your word.
I have told the Trump Administration that Mid Continent makes a strong case for an exemption and I continue
to urge the Department of Commerce to grant it quickly, but the fact remains that your company also has a
critical role to play.
As a company with a global presence and many locations, Deacero is clearly not struggling to make ends meet.
The reality is that Deacero can afford to keep the factory open, and in turn, help keep men and women
employed who simply want to do right by their families and earn a living.
As you consider your options, I want to call attention to two factors that concern me as you decide on Mid
Continent’s future.
First, one of Deacero’s brands, Aceros Nacionales, also produces nails, but it does so in Mexico. The
negotiation over tariffs should not be an excuse for you to kill American jobs and consolidate Deacero’s nail
manufacturing to Mexico.
Second, according to many reports, you have fought with steel manufacturers in the United States over potential
dumping violations made by Deacero. As U.S. steel manufacturers begin to rebound because of the
administration’s negotiations, I certainly hope that you would not make decisions based on previous grudges.
I hope these factors are not part of your deliberation come Labor Day and that you will remember why Poplar
Bluff provides a “competitive advantage.” The bottom line is that the employees at Mid Continent and their
families are your competitive advantage.

 All over media reports, you tout Deacero as a family-owned business. It’s a great selling point, but as you grow
that business, don’t forget the families of Poplar Bluff. Please keep your word from 2012 and grow Mid
Continent’s presence in the United States.

Sincerely,

Josh Hawley