Final Thoughts
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Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
December 15, 2015
I hope that all of you will take a few moments to click on the links provided for the speakers and for the PGA National Resort & Spa to get a better feel for the quality of the program we will be putting on in March for a select few company executives. There is a good reason why the cost is much higher than our Steel Summit Conference – this is not a steel conference, we are looking for this to be an experience where information and ideas are freely traded between our speakers, attendees and staff. We are looking to dig deeper and to provide more information about subjects that affect businesses on a daily basis. I can’t remember how many times I have spoke to executives about the problems of managing a multi-generational workforce. For those of you who go back 10 years or longer with me, you might remember that I used to tell you that my kids need new shoes. Well, my kids are Millennials and the shoes have grown into much bigger issues. I am looking forward to our program on managing Millennials and other issues associated with the multi-generational workforce. Take some time to review the whats, when, where and whys associated with our Leadership Summit and I hope to see you in Palm Beach Gardens (Florida) on March 7-9, 2016.
One of our members asked me today about the expiration of our agreement with CRU to re-publish their HR, CR, GI and plate prices. CRU has made a business decision that they would rather have their numbers come directly from them (at about 3 times our subscription fees and that may be on the low side). That is their business decision to make. After today we will not reference their numbers. We remind our readers that if you are in negotiations with your suppliers there are index options out there and if transparency (and cost) is an issue you have the right to use what best suits your needs.
In November I spoke at a Cowen & Company conference in New York City for the financial community. I had to remind those in attendance that I have been associated with the steel industry for over 40 years. Anyone who stays in the steel industry for that long has to be a die-hard optimist. Perhaps that is why one of the very first products I developed for Steel Market Update was our Sentiment Index. I think over the past 7 years it has shown itself to be very accurate as to the mood of those buying and selling steel and a useful tool to those who want to know where things are headed from here. Take some time to review the history on our website.
I got a note from a reader today who wanted to know if he missed an issue because someone forwarded an article we wrote that he had not seen yet. What we found out was the article is one from tonight’s newsletter that we published either late yesterday (we published our article on the cold rolled trade suits yesterday) or earlier today. If the article is important (like the CR CVD ruling) we try to get it out to our readers as early as possible. The way we do that is to publish it on our website first – which you can then access just by logging into your account and clicking on that article.
We also publish a number of blog posts about all kinds of subjects that do not make it into our newsletter. So, you may want to occasionally check out our blog.
We still have room for a few more people at the upcoming Steel 101 workshop which will be held at a brand new Marriott Courtyard hotel in Starkville, Mississippi. We will be touring the Steel Dynamics Columbus steel mill as part of our program. You can get details on our website or, you are welcome to contact me personally. I can be reached at 800-432-3475 or by email at: John@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
As always your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, Publisher
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John Packard
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Final thoughts
Sheet prices didn’t roar back after Labor Day. But steel market news sure came out of the gate strong (or maybe chaotically is the better way to put it). First, the nearly $15-billion proposed sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel exploded into the news. And when I say exploded, I mean that all sides seem to be escalating things now.
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Final thoughts
Welcome back from Labor Day, from Steel Summit, and from whatever fun you might have had over the long weekend. Personally, I enjoyed camping with friends and family near Starved Rock. No one starved, there were no major injuries, and we enjoyed the many splendors of Mystical Fire. (Speaking of which, does that have industrial uses? But I digress.)
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Final thoughts
I want to say a huge ‘thank you’ from all of us at SMU to all of you (more than 1,500!) who attended Steel Summit this year. We appreciate you taking time out of busy schedules to join us – whether that was up on stage, submitting thoughtful questions, or catching up over a drink and bite to eat. Also, a bit shoutout to everyone at SMU and at CRU who made this event possible. It’s no understatement to say that we have a fantastic team.
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Final thoughts
Day one and two of SMU's Steel Summit 2024 are officially in the books. We covered a lot of ground, and the agenda sure did deliver.
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Final thoughts
The big show is just about here. SMU Steel Summit will be getting underway on Monday. Where does the networking begin? I’d say at the airport. So don’t forget your business cards. And it can't hurt to wear a company golf shirt.