Features

Get an inside look at steelmaking at SMU’s Steel 101 workshop
Written by Brett Linton
April 29, 2025
If you’re looking to build a solid foundation in steel or sharpen the knowledge you already have, the SMU Steel 101 Workshop is a great place to start.
Our next workshop is right around the corner and will be held in Memphis, Tenn., June 10-11, 2025. Attendees will learn how steel is made. And then they’ll get a first hand look during a guided tour of Nucor Steel Arkansas. Seeing and feeling the heat of steel being made really makes that knowledge stick.
The Steel 101 workshop is created for people of all ages and experience levels. Whether you are in sales, purchasing, logistics, operations, or support, you’ll come away with a better understanding of how steel is produced, how it’s priced, and what drives the market.
One of the things that makes these workshops so unique is our instructors. You’ll learn from industry veterans who have spent decades working in the field. They’ll share their knowledge on everything from metallurgy and coating extras to futures and indexation. They’ll teach the fundamentals of the industry, and they’ll share real-world insights you won’t find in any textbook.
Getting to tour a steel mill in person brings everything you’ve learned to life. It’s one thing to hear about steelmaking in a classroom – it’s another to see the sparks fly for yourself.
Seats are limited, so if you’re thinking about joining us in Memphis, now’s the time to sign up. We’d love to see you there!


Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Features

Final Thoughts
Tariff-related noise aside, there is one basic factor keeping buyers on the sidelines. Despite recent declines, HR prices remain at historically high levels. And there is no obvious support to keep them there.

AISI: Raw steel production climbs to 7-month high
US steel mills produced more raw steel last week than they have over the past seven months, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.

Final Thoughts
United Airlines raised eyebrows earlier this month when it provided two forecasts for 2025 – one assuming a relatively stable economy and another assuming a recession. The reason? Uncertainty around the impact of President Trump’s policy shocks on the broader economy. And it sometimes feels like we’re seeing a battle between those two narratives (stable vs recession) play out within in the pages of this newsletter.

Price: Expect new trade shocks as Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ tariff negotiations continue
President Trump cast a wide net with the proposed, reciprocal tariffs. The negotiating stage will be critical to determining the success of his strategy. And for those suffering tariff whiplash, don’t expect the pace of change to slow down just because the reciprocal tariffs are entering a negotiating phase.