Steel Products Prices North America

Weekly Raw Steel Production at 2+ Year High

Written by Brett Linton

August 26, 2014

For the week ending August 23, 2014, the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) reported that the U.S. steel industry produced 1,932,000 net tons (NT) of raw steel, a 0.7 percent increase over the previous week and a 4.0 percent increase over the same week one year ago. The estimated capacity utilization rate is 80.3 percent, up from 79.8 percent last week and up from 77.6 percent last year. The last time weekly raw steel production was at this level was for the week ending May 24, 2012 with 1,961,000 tons produced. The last time the capacity utilization rate was this high was for the week ending May 10, 2012 when the rate was at 81.1 percent.

Estimated total raw steel produced for 2014 YTD is reported to be 62,195,000 tons, up 0.6 percent from the 61,817,000 tons produced during the same period in 2013. The average capacity utilization rate for 2014 YTD is estimated to be 77.1 percent, up from 76.9 percent for 2013 YTD. Note that there has been a change in production capability for 2014- comparisons between 2013 and 2014 capacity utilization rates are against different production levels, so the total tonnage figures are best suited for yearly comparisons.

Week-over-week changes per district are as follows: North East at 238,000 tons, up 5,000 tons. Great Lakes at 691,000 tons, up 12,000 tons. Midwest at 237,000 tons, down 3,000 tons. South at 676,000 tons, up 1,000 tons. West at 90,000 tons, down 2,000 tons. Total production was 1,932,000 tons, up 13,000 tons.

SMU Note: You can view the interactive graphic on weekly raw steel production below when you are logged into the website and reading the newsletter online. If you have not logged into the website in the past and need your username and password, contact us at: info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or by calling 800-432-3475. If you need help navigating the website we would also be very happy to assist you.

{amchart id=”84″ Weekly Raw Steel Production from AISI}

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

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