1983 – 2003

Ricardo Hugas, then the Commercial Director of CELSA Group, started IREPAS in the early ’80s by organizing a meeting between CELSA and Gerdau. Hugas created IREPAS to develop understanding between producers, traders and consumers of concrete reinforcing steel bars around the world.

Hugas has led IREPAS as Chairman for over two decades during which the association grew to include steel producers from many different countries.