Written by: Gary Roberts, ISM Steel Forum

From time to time, you may see mention of data reporting or meetings hosted by the Institute of Supply Management Steel Buyers Forum. We are excited to announce that this year the membership of the Steel Buyers Forum will be attending and sponsoring SMU’s 3rd Annual Steel Summit, held in conjunction with METALCON in Rosemont, Illinois.

The Steel Buyers Forum is sponsored by the Institute of Supply Management (which is the organization formally known as the National Association of Purchasing Managers, or NAPM.) ISM has both regional chapters, and industry specific groups and forums, including the Steel Buyers Forum. For the Steel Buyers Forum, membership requirements include being a major steel products consumer and responsible for the purchase of a minimum of 50,000 tons of carbon steel, or the dollar equivalent of specialty steels.

The Forum traditionally meets twice per year. In the spring the Steel Buyers Forum typically holds our meeting in conjunction with the ISM national convention. During the spring meeting our program usually includes presentations by market experts. Past speakers have included representatives from CRU, IHS Global Insight, and Steel Market Update.

The fall meeting is generally held at a steel producing location, and often includes a tour of that facility. Recent events have included ThyssenKrupp Steel USA, Severstal Columbus, US Steel Gary Works and RG Steel where we were one of the last groups to tour the Sparrows Point facility.

This year, the Forum decided to go in a different direction and participate in SMU’s Steel Summit. Several members attended the Summit last year and found it to be of great value. Our ISM Steel Buyers Forum is looking forward to participating in this year’s conference - expanding our knowledge and taking advantage of the networking opportunities.

The ISM Steel Buyers Forum is looking to expand our membership. If your company has an interest and meets the minimum steel purchased criteria you can find more information on our website at: https://www.ism.ws/sites/steel/ or feel free to speak to me during the SMU Steel Summit Conference.

For more information regarding the SMU Steel Summit Conference please review our program and registration information. If you need more information you are welcome to contact our office at: 800-432-3475.

Members of the ISM Steel Buyers Forum looking to register need to do so through our office: 800-432-3475.