The authors of the book together have a combined experience of over 30 years in the control of metal processing areas, including tandem rolling applications. Dr. Pittner has over 20 years experience in the development, design, and commissioning of the control of these processes in both a national and international context. In addition he has presented many related papers on the theoretical and practical aspects of the control of tandem cold metal rolling at various technical conferences and has contributed papers which are published in several archival journals. Professor Simaan likewise has a wide background in the control of both steel and aluminum processes and is recognized internationally for his superior expertise in optimal control. He has published extensively on the control of various areas of metal processing which include tandem hot and cold rolling applications. With these backgrounds the authors are highly qualified and appreciative of what issues are encountered in the various facets of control development, design and commissioning and how the proposed material can significantly improve the performance of the tandem cold rolling process, as well as being an aid to the associated personnel in both a theoretical and practical sense. Moreover, they recognize not only the importance of the new technique for control of tandem cold rolling, but also the significance of its broader impacts which include the potential for improvement in the control of other large-scale nonlinear processes.