Final Thoughts
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Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
December 7, 2018
JSW Ohio (former Mingo Junction mill) has been struggling to get their existing electric arc furnace (EAF) up and running. It was supposed to have fired up last week, but we were told there is an issue with the oxygen, and the new ETA first heat date is Monday or Tuesday of this week. I am following this closely as I have been invited to visit the mill once the furnace is running. I will keep our readers advised on the situation at JSW Ohio and what that means for hot rolled supply and pricing as we move into the New Year.
I understand that Nucor is switching their zinc coating extras back to table “C” for contract customers. Are any of you having discussions with other mills regarding zinc coating extras?
We sent our SMU Service Center Inventories “Flash” Report to all data providers this morning. We are hopeful that the full report will be completed by the afternoon of Dec. 14. If your company is a data provider and you have any questions, or if your service center/wholesaler would like to participate in our service center inventories analysis, please contact DeWayne Tuthill at DeWayne.Tuthill@crugroup.com or by phone: 724-720-1008. I am also available to answer any questions you might have.
I will be traveling on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week as SMU is conducting one of our Steel 101 workshops to a sold-out crowd in Toledo, Ohio. I will return to my office on Thursday at 8 a.m. ET.
Paige Mayhair will be attending our Steel 101 workshop, as well. If you have any questions, please contact Brett Linton at 706-216-2140.
As always, your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, President & CEO
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John Packard
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The US steel market has whipsawed upward on the prospect of expanded Section 232 tariffs of 25% being applied to imported steel - including downstream goods - on March 12. It seems pretty clear that domestic steel mills have the ear of the Trump administration when it comes to Section 232. The result? The much-anticipated Trump bump has finally arrived - and then some.
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Final Thoughts
Some of you have told me that the current market feels about as crazy as early 2021 when demand snapped back after the initial outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Others have said it might be more like late February/early March 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine – and, in the process, caused […]
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Final Thoughts
To say we’ve entered a “Brave New World” since Jan. 20 might be an exaggeration, but we’ve definitely entered a different one.
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Final Thoughts
I think it’s fair to say that the last few weeks – and last week especially – have been among the most intense for any of us covering steel (or aluminum).
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Final Thoughts
A look at how SMU survey respondents are reacting to President Trump's recent actions on tariffs.