Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
September 24, 2013
I want to thank IHS Global Insight for allowing SMU and our readers to attend their Pricing & Purchasing Summit which was held in Chicago over the past two days. SMU is interested in conducting a similar conference dedicated to the steel industry and identifying risks next year as we strive to bring new value to our members and the steel community.
Based on the conversations I have been having with end users, service centers and steel mills over the past few days it appears we may be in one of those interesting times within the steel industry. We have a number of factors coming together – new management at two mills – USS and Severstal and another mill is for sale (ThyssenKrupp). We have contract negotiations beginning and, so far, the mills seem to be committed to doing a better job of controlling their fate and attempting to become more profitable. After many years of shooting themselves in the foot maybe now is the time to make a stand?
Of course end users are not pleased with the changes and I found John Anton of IHS Global Insight comments today to be compelling – maybe it is time for buyers to weigh all of the risks in their supply chain and supporting slightly higher prices may pay dividends over the longer term.
Earlier this evening, Severstal NA announced the appointment of a new Vice President of Commercial. His name is Sachin Shivaram and his background is with ArcelorMittal and McKinsey and Company. He replaces Tom Marchak who has been appointed to the position as Special Advisor to the CEO. We will have more on this on our blog tomorrow.
By the way – John Temples and I will be at Metalcon this year in Atlanta. I expect to attend the AKZO Nobel cocktail reception and to be on the floor for the first day of the show. If you would like to make arrangements to speak to John or myself you can shoot us an email at: John@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
As always we want to thank our members for their support and their business which is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
SMU looks back at stories from Decembers past, one, five, 10, and 100 years ago.
Final Thoughts
It's that time of year again. You know, that time when people wonder if those things are drones in New Jersey or if the aliens are ready to come onto the stage just in time for Inauguration Day. What will that do for steel price volatility? In any case, the SMU team finds itself in Pittsburgh this week.
Final Thoughts
The Community Chat last Wednesday with ITR economist Taylor St. Germain is worth listening to if you couldn’t tune in live. You can find the replay and Taylor’s slide deck here. You can also find SMU reporter Stephanie Ritenbaugh’s writeup of the webinar here. Taylor is Alan Beaulieu’s protégé at ITR. Many of you know Alan from his talks at SMU Steel Summit. I found Taylor’s analysis just as insightful as Alan’s.
Final Thoughts
Cracks have formed in what has been presented as the Biden administration’s united front against Nippon Steel’s play for U.S. Steel. A report from the Financial Times said parts of the administration are at odds on the deal.
Final Thoughts
It’s been another week of torrid speculation when it comes Trump and tariffs. And another week of mostly flat price movement when it comes to steel sheet and plate. As far as Trump and tariffs go, I think I might have lost track. We've potentially got 10% blanket tariffs on imports from China, 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, 100% tariffs on the BRICs, and 200% on Caterpillar. Canada might be the 51st state. Mexico could be the 52nd state. But all can be resolved if you stop by Mar-a-Lago and kiss the ring?