There's something about Armco, and Armco retiree-author David Todd thinks he's pinpointed what has made steelmaking in Butler Township so special.

"It's the people," he said recently over a copy of his newest book about Armco, this one celebrating the Butler Works' 100th anniversary.

"The Butler Plant: 1907 to 2007, A Centennial Souvenir," completes a trilogy of Armco books Todd has written and published in recent years.

Todd's first book, "Butler Armco: The Mill — A Pictorial History," showed readers what it was like through the decades to work in the plant. The second, "Armco: The True Steel Company, Too Good to be Forgotten," is an overall look at Armco as a corporation, how it was founded and its history as a company.

"'The Butler Plant' examines the common thread that has made this plant so successful, successful enough to have lasted 100 years," he said.

Todd began working at Armco-ButlerWorks in 1956 as part of a cooperative program at the University of Cincinnati in metallurgical engineering. The five-year program required Todd to work in Butler for two of those years.

After graduation, Todd came back to the Butler Works, where he spent the next 35 years and accomplished something rare for an Armco employee of his stature: He spent all 35 years in Butler, retiring in 1993 as president of advanced materials.

"My dad, Earl Todd, worked as a roller in the cold mill and my Uncle Clarence became a foreman, so my roots are in the mill," Todd said, adding that pictures of his dad and himself working at Armco are featured in the book.

He said "The Butler Plant" is meant to preserve the history of the Butler works for future generations.

"Armco was something special, and I wanted to honor the community which has made it a success," Todd said of the company, which was sold to AKSteel in 1999.

Besides the workers, who helped make the Butler Works into a world-leader in making specialty steel — something it is still known for, especially its growth in recent years in the manufacturing of electrical steel — Todd has praise for Armco's leaders and management style, which he says, "made everyone part of the team.

"I'm afraid there is less of that today. It's the bottom line, the price of stock, corporate America that pushes industry today," Todd said.

But, he says, "the Butler plant has had four owners in 100 years and it is still here," adding that AKSteel has announced a second multi-million upgrade for the plant in as many years.

"So it looks like it will be here long after me, and I really believe this success has to be attributed to the people of this community," Todd said.

This may be the last book Todd writes about Armco and the Butler Works, as he has been a major supporter of the sale of the former Armco Park in Slippery Rock Township to the Butler County YMCA. He plans to dedicate more of his time renovating the park.

Larry Garvin, the YMCA's executive director, recently announced a $10 million, 10-year renovation-development plan for the park, adding amenities such as cabins and fields for sports like archery.

"There's also going to be an Armco Heritage Room there," Todd said.

Andria Jones, the YMCA's development director, said since the YMCA bought the park, people have been dropping off Armco mementoes that through the years had found their way into private hands. The items include the Armco symbol from the fountain in front of the plant's administration building.

Jones has these items in safe keeping and is hoping for more. Ultimately, they will be displayed in the park's Heritage Room for Armco families to remember and to help educate visitors about the company and the Butler Works.

Todd said he wants to work with the YMCA on everything from park development to programming.

"I want to make it a kids camp for kids with special needs, autism, juvenile diabetes. That's my ultimate dream," Todd said.

Todd is not charging for his latest book, which is available at the Butler Armco Employees Credit Union on Hansen Avenue.

"I would like people who get a book to please leave their names. I'm interested in who wants to read the book and to thank them for their support," Todd said.

Readers who would like to make a donation to the Armco-YMCA Park may send checks to: Butler Family YMCA, 339 N. Washington St., Butler, PA 16001.