Robert Ebner and the entire organization extend their sincere gratitude to David for his tireless work and invaluable contributions over the years. His leadership and vision have been integral to Hazelett’s growth, expansion, and industry-leading innovations. As he embarks on his well-deserved retirement, the company wishes him many more years of happiness and fulfillment.

A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION

David Hazelett became HAZELETT’s second President in 2009. Following in the footsteps of his father, Bill Hazelett, David leaves behind a remarkable legacy. His journey at HAZELETT began in the late 1960’s, starting as a laborer in the belt shop while attending high school. After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1972 with a BA degree in environmental policy, David initially worked for the Vermont Natural Resources Council. However, he returned to HAZELETT in 1973, starting with an assignment at M&H Zinc Company at his father’s request.

David’s professional path also included a detour into law, earning a law degree and practicing in Burlington, Vermont for several years before returning to HAZELETT in 1987. His broad range of experience, both technical and managerial, helped shape his visionary leadership at the helm of the company.

His grandfather, C. W. Hazelett, invented the Twin-Belt Caster in 1948, a pivotal moment that revolutionized continuous aluminum casting. Since then, HAZELETT has become the world’s process with the lowest cost and smallest carbon footprint for the production of flat rolled aluminum products. Today, the technology is producing a significant portion of the world’s building & construction sheet, foil/fin stock, road signs, truck trailers and slugs for impact extrusions (containers, aerosol cans, fire extinguishers), with improved capabilities of producing automotive and can-end stock. There are now over 100 HAZELETT Twin-Belt Casting Lines operating in 25 countries worldwide, persistently pushing the boundaries of continuous casting.

PIONEERING GREEN TECHNOLOGIES

A passionate advocate for sustainability, David shared HAZELETT’s commitment to advancing green technologies
in the aluminum industry. Aluminum, with its remarkable versatility and recyclability, is an essential material in the pursuit of a more sustainable world. Under David’s leadership, HAZELETT became known for its innovations in aluminum casting, particularly for its more energy efficient and less scrap-generating method of producing aluminum sheet products. His work emphasized the need for reducing inefficiencies compared to traditional aluminum casting processes.

GUIDING HAZELETT TO NEW ACHIEVEMENTS

David led the establishment of HAZELETT’s Chinese subsidiary, strengthening the company’s global presence and opening up new market potential. He also oversaw the successful introduction of aluminum casting systems for aluminum strip up to two meters wide and the development of CASTechnology™, an extremely promising innovation that has the potential to fundamentally change the industry.

CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF INNOVATION

In 2019, David led HAZELETT in celebrating the company’s centennial milestone in continuous casting, commemorating his family’s legacy of innovation and excellence. Further cementing his commitment to advancing the company, David initiated a key technical relationship with EBNER Industrieofenbau, culminating in HAZELETT joining the EBNER GROUP in 2021. David’s achievements were recognized in 2023 when he received the prestigious Boultinghouse Award, the highest honor in the North American aluminum industry.