Contributor: Ethan Bernard

Ethan Bernard

Ethan Bernard is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in the New York office for two years starting in 2008. Later, he copy edited AMM’s monthly magazine on a freelance basis from 2015 until 2017. With experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing, he holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA. in Creative Writing from New York University. He can be reached at ethan@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7871.

UAW Workers Ratify Deal, End Strike at Parts Supplier ZF in Alabama

United Auto Workers (UAW) members ratified a labor deal at ZF Chassis Systems in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Thursday, ending a nearly month-long strike.

Unifor Kicks Off Talks With Stellantis

Canada’s Unifor, which represents union-represented auto workers there, has opened negotiations with automaker Stellantis.

Cleveland-Cliffs Ups Sheet, Aims for $800/ton HR Price

Cleveland-Cliffs said on Thursday it's targeting a minimum base price for hot-rolled steel of $800 per net ton ($40 per cwt).

Subcontractors for USS Stole~$2M of Scrap: Police

Subcontractors for U.S. Steel in Indiana stole ~20 million pounds of scrap valued at ~$2 million over a two-year period.

Nucor Subsidiary Buys Cincinnati Scrap Assets

River Metals Recycling (RMR), a subsidiary of Nucor, has acquired all the Cincinnati-based assets of Garden Street Iron & Metal.

Prime Scrap, HRC Spread Increases in October

The spread between hot-rolled coil (HRC) and prime scrap prices widened slightly this month, according to SMU’s most recent pricing data.

AZZ Inc. Swings to Profit in Fiscal Q2 on Infrastructure Spending

Azz Inc. swung to a profit in its fiscal second quarter of 2024 as its metal coatings business was lifted by infrastructure spending.

SMU Survey: Current Buyers Sentiment Slips, Future Level

SMU's Current Steel Buyers Sentiment Index edged down this week while the future index remained flat, based on our most recent survey data.

Prime Scrap Prices Flat in October, Other Grades Edge Down

Prime scrap prices were unchanged in October month over month, following a large Detroit-area buyer's lead, according to market sources.

Buyers Say Mills Less Willing to Negotiate Lower Prices: SMU Survey

The mill negotiation rate for all products SMU looks at fell this week, with hot rolled dropping 13 percentage points, according to our most recent survey data.

Feralloy Sets $8.75M Expansion Plan at Alabama Plant: Report

Feralloy Corp. is planning an $8.75-million expansion at its Decatur, Ala., Red Hat Road plant, according to a local report.

US, EU Set to Extend 'Global Arrangement' Deadline: Report

The US and European Union are expected to sign a political agreement that puts a hold on a part of the Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminum (GSA) regarding the decarbonization of steel and aluminum making, according to an article in The Financial Times.

Esmark Starts Flat Rolled Supply Business in Mexico

Esmark Steel Group has established Esmark Steel International, a business focused on supplying the Mexican industrial steel market.

UAW Workers at Mack Trucks Strike After Rejecting Deal

The United Auto Workers (UAW) said 4,000 union members at Mack Trucks have rejected a tentative labor agreement and went on strike Monday morning.

Nucor Holds Grand Opening at Brandenburg Plate Mill

Nucor was joined by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear for the steelmaker’s “grand opening” of its $1.7-billion Brandenburg plate manufacturing mill in the state.

October Busheling Scrap Tags Flat at Large Detroit-area Buyer: Sources

A large Detroit-area scrap buyer has settled scrap tags for October, with busheling scrap sideways, a source told SMU.

Domestic Steel Shipments Rise in August: AISI

Shipments from US steel mills ticked up in August vs. July and stayed level year over year, according to the latest monthly data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

GM Makes Sixth Contract Offer to UAW

General Motors made its sixth contract offer to the United Auto Workers (UAW) as the union continues its strike against all three Detroit-area automakers.

UAW Strike at Stamping Plants Could Affect Scrap Supply

While the ongoing United Auto Workers (UAW) strike hasn’t had a significant impact on the scrap market, the strike's expansion to stamping plants could hit supply, sources tell SMU.

Ford Makes Seventh Offer to UAW

Ford Motor Co. presented its seventh offer to the United Auto Workers (UAW) on Tuesday amid the union’s ongoing strike.

Ford Makes Layoffs in Ohio and Illinois on UAW Strike

Ford Motor Co. announced layoffs in Ohio and Illinois on Monday, citing the ongoing United Auto Workers (UAW) strike.

USS Slates Layoffs at Granite City Works

U.S. Steel is laying off ~300 workers at its Granite City Works in Illinois, a company spokeswoman told SMU on Tuesday.

GM Lays Off Workers in Ohio and Indiana, Cites UAW Strike

General Motors has announced layoffs at its Parma Metal Center in Ohio and Marion Metal Center in Indiana as a result of the ongoing United Auto Workers (UAW) strike.

Olympic Steel Buys Arkansas-Based Central Tube & Bar

Olympic Steel has acquired Conway, Ark.-based Central Tube & Bar (CTB).

UAW Strike Hasn't Dampened SMU Buyers Sentiment Indices

SMU's Current and Future Steel Buyers Sentiment Indices both increased this week despite the United Auto Workers (UAW) union strike expansion, based on our most recent survey data.

Most Mills Still Willing To Negotiate Lower Sheet and Plate Prices: SMU Survey

The overall steel mill negotiation rate remained level this week vs. two weeks earlier, but plate’s rate fell by 15 percentage points, according to SMU’s most recent survey data.

Biden to Meet EU Officials in Washington to Discuss Steel

US President Joe Biden is set to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel on Oct. 20 in Washington ahead of a deadline for an agreement on steel, according to a report in Reuters.

Nucor to Partner With Fusion Company To Power US Mill

Nucor has announced a collaboration with fusion power company Helion to develop a 500-megawatt nuclear fusion power plant.

USW Taps McCall as New President After Conway's Passing

The United Steelworkers International (USW) executive board on Tuesday appointed David McCall as the union’s new international president. He will fill the remainder of Tom Conway’s term.

Worthington Industries Unveils Branding for New Firms, Separation Date Slated for December

Worthington Industries announced on Tuesday the names and branding for the two companies resulting from its planned separation, which could happen earlier than previously stated.