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.

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.

USW International President Tom Conway Dies at 71

Tom Conway, international president of the United Steelworkers (USW) union since 2019, has died at age 71.

Ford of Canada Union Workers Ratify Three-Year Labor Pact

Ford of Canada union workers represented by Unifor ratified a new, three-year labor agreement on Sunday.

UAW Has Upper Hand vs. Automakers: Schenker

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has more leverage than the Detroit Three automakers in the current strike that started Sept. 15, according to Jason Schenker, president of Prestige Economics.

China Has Failed to Comply With WTO Commitments: AISI

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has laid out a case for China’s failure to comply with its World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations, which it joined in 2001.

Zekelman Industries Expanding ZI-Strut Line

Zekelman Industries has announced an expansion of its its ZI-Strut™ metal framing and accessories product line.

Stelco Considering Bid for U.S. Steel: Bloomberg

Canadian steelmaker Stelco Holdings Inc. is now in the mix to purchase U.S. Steel, according to an article in Bloomberg on Thursday, which cited people familiar with the matter.

Deacero Set to Invest $1B in New EAF Mill and Plant Updates in Mexico

Mexican steelmaker Grupo Deacero will invest $1 billion over the next three years as it plans to expand its steel production by 1.2 million tons per year, according to a local report.