Contributor: Laura Miller

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has held a variety of positions within the steel industry since 2007, including reporting and editing for Steel Business Briefing/Platts, the Association for Iron and Steel Technology, and Kallanish Commodities, as well as marketing for what was then known as ThyssenKrupp Steel USA (now AM/NS Calvert). After a five-year hiatus working across other industries, she returned to steel in 2021 and has covered the flat rolled, tubular, and trade areas of the industry. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at laura@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7869.

GrafTech to curtail electrode capacity on weak demand, pricing

Weak demand and pricing for graphite electrodes combined with higher costs are forcing GrafTech to implement cost-cutting procedures and reduce production across its facilities.

Reliance scoops up American Alloy Steel

Reliance has entered into an agreement to purchase Houston-based American Alloy Steel Inc. for an undisclosed sum.

Bull Moose partners with Mitsui, Nippon to sell jumbo HSS

Bull Moose Tube Co. (BMT) is now offering jumbo hollow structural sections (HSS) in the US market.

Shipments of heating and cooling equipment tick up but down on-year

The latest statistics from the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) show that December shipments of heating and cooling equipment in the US inched higher from the previous month but declined from last year’s levels.

January import licenses at six-month high

Based on initial license data for January, steel imports appear to have risen to a six-month high, and flat-rolled steel imports to a seven-month high.

Russel posts solid quarter, eyes growth initiatives

Russel Metals has invested a lot in recent years, and it’s not done yet.

Another incident hits Algoma Steel mill

Algoma Steel Group Inc. suffered another incident at its steel mill in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, this week.

SMU Community Chat: Timna Tanners’ take on 2024

More supply coming online and an unchanging demand environment – two key themes for 2024 – could soon bring the steel sheet storm to a market near you.

Imports decline for a second consecutive year in 2023

2023 was the third-lowest year for steel imports in the last decade, according to an SMU analysis of data from the US Department of Commerce.

ITC votes not to impose duties on tin mill product imports

At the final hour, the trade case investigating unfairly traded imports of tin mill products has been terminated.

Alton Steel appoints new CEO as Hrusovsky retires

SBQ producer Alton Steel Inc. (ASI) has appointed a new chief executive.

USW still worried, even with Biden’s support in USS-Nippon deal

While President Biden may have its back, the United Steelworkers (USW) union remains concerned about the proposed sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel Corp. (NSC).

Tampa Steel: Navigating risk, pricing in a volatile trading environment

Just like doing business in any part of the steel supply chain, there are risks and unknowns in trading steel. But trading companies play an important part, helping businesses navigate the risks and unknowns as they pop up.

Commerce adjusts CVDs on corrosion-resistant steel from Korea

The Department of Commerce has adjusted the countervailing duty (CVD) rates on imports of corrosion-resistant (galvanized/Galvalume) steel from South Korea after an administrative review.

Tampa Steel: Hybar CEO talks future plans for its sustainable steel mills

Speaking during a fireside chat at the Tampa Steel Conference on Monday, Jan. 29, Hybar CEO David Stickler provided a status update on the company’s new rebar mill project and its plans for the future, including the possibility of a flat-rolled steel mill.

Reliance acquires Georgia’s Cooksey Iron & Metal

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. announced on Feb. 2 that it has acquired Tifton, Ga.-based Cooksey Iron & Metal Co.

SMU survey: Sheet mill lead times pull back significantly

Steel mill lead times for sheet products saw substantial declines over the past two weeks, while production times for plate held steady during the month of January.

Trump would oppose USS/Nippon merger: Report

If reelected in the November presidential election, Donald Trump said he would block the sale of U.S. Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel Corp. (NSC).

Thyssenkrupp Materials de México opens new stocking location

Thyssenkrupp Materials de México is opening a new service center in San Luis Potosí.

Tampa Steel: Analysts forecast lower sheet prices this year

With rising steelmaking capacity and relatively flat demand, industry analysts are predicting lower prices for sheet products this year.

Cliffs ships record amount of steel; sees scrap, HRC prices staying high

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. shipped more than 4 million short tons (st) of steel in each quarter of 2023, pushing its full-year shipments to a record 16.4m st.

Cleveland-Cliffs came close to acquiring U.S. Steel

A Jan. 24 SEC filing by U.S. Steel Corp. reveals further details about the company’s strategic review process.

December marks second slowest month for imports in 2023

December’s import level was slightly lower than an earlier license count had suggested, resulting in December marking the second-slowest month for imports in 2023.

Steel market chatter this week

What's being talked about in the US steel market this week?

SMU Community Chat: Iron ore market update with CRU’s Erik Hedborg

SMU’s Jan. 24 Community Chat, featuring CRU's Principal Analyst Erik Hedborg, provided viewers with an update on the current state of the global iron ore market.

Algoma Steel halts coke production after structure collapse in Sault Ste. Marie

Algoma Steel Group has halted coke production in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, after an incident at its coke-making facility this past weekend.

Rig counts rise in US, Canada but down from last year

While oil and gas drilling in the US and Canada rose in the week ended Jan. 19, less drilling is happening than at this time last year, Baker Hughes’ latest data shows.

HRC vs. plate price spread narrowing but still high

The premium plate has held over hot-rolled coil (HRC) has been narrowing but remains elevated compared to historical levels.

Fed Beige Book: Economic activity steady, manufacturing declines

While there was little change in economic activity since its last update, the Federal Reserve reported declines in manufacturing in nearly all districts in its January Beige Book update.

SMU survey: Steel mill lead times mostly slipping

The slipping lead times for flat-rolled steel were not just due to the holiday slowdown, it seems, as production times for four out of five products contracted again this week.