EXHIBIT 1

                            JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

         In accordance  with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities  Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, the persons named below agree to the joint filing on behalf of
each of them of an amendment or  amendments  to the  Statement on Schedule  13D,
dated July 8, 1993, of SMI America,  Inc.,  Sumitomo Metal USA  Corporation  and
Sumitomo Metal Industries,  Ltd., as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated August 5,
1994,  Amendment  No. 2, dated  November  15, 1994 and  amended and  restated by
Amendment No. 3, dated October 15. This Joint Filing Agreement shall be included
as  an  Exhibit  to  such  joint  filing.  In  evidence  thereof,  each  of  the
undersigned, being duly authorized, hereby executed this Agreement this 13th day
of December, 2001.

                                    SMI AMERICA, INC.


                                    By:       /s/ Yasukazu Morooka
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name: Yasukazu Morooka
                                         Title: President


                                    SUMITOMO METAL USA CORPORATION


                                    By:          /s/ Yasukazu Morooka
                                          --------------------------------------
                                         Name: Yasukazu Morooka
                                         Title:  President


                                    SUMITOMO METAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.


                                    By:          /s/ Masaaki Tachibana
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name: Masaaki Tachibana
                                         Title:  Executive Vice President