Letter to the Editor: “A unique subscriber….” I am a unique subscriber to the Steel Market Update….I am in the plastic injection molding industry! So why do I read the Steel Market Update? SMU provides me with a condensed rolling picture of the steel industry which on one hand supplies us materials for the molds we build in-house and on the other hand provides materials to a competitive option for our customers (example: a fabricated metal housing for a medical instrument versus an injection molded plastic housing?). In addition to understanding the current cost and supply direction of plastic resin and mold building materials, it is equally important I have insight into my indirect competitors supply/cost issues….SMU provides me with that insight! THANK YOU SMU, job well done!

I subscribed to your newsletter approx 60 days ago. Let me say that to date I am extremely pleased as it is has provided me both an education as well as insights into this industry.

Thanks for providing such great color on the steel markets. You guys really do an excellent job.

I wanted to give my two cent's worth concerning the value of SMU. From the first time I read it I found the information to be a refreshing change from the usual way the news is reported in the other newsletters. (We read AMM on a daily basis). Rather than hearing an opinion from the head of a mill or service center, you report actual transactions and sales information from the real world. I eagerly anticipate each edition. The information has helped us make money.

I really enjoy the news updates and reading your report each week. I feel like SMU is providing the best coverage of what is really happening in the Steel Industry.

I read today's new letter. I wanted to let you know that while I don't always like the news you present, I do have confidence that you are presenting an unbiased, as accurate as possible, perspective of the market. Just keep doing what you are doing. A lot of us rely on your letter.

Hi John, my name is Tim Craig and I am a Territory Manager with Macsteel Service Centers USA, Murfreesboro, TN. I have 29 years of sales experience, 12 of which were with WCI Steel Warren (pre-Severstal)…so, like you, I have watched our industry morph into what is today. I really enjoy your SMU. It’s concise and to the point…a great “soup to nuts” take on what’s going on in our dynamic industry. A huge component to my success is being well informed about our industry and your report is an integral part!

Just a quick note to let you know that I think your Steel Market Update is invaluable to our efforts @ Dahlman Rose!

Good morning! Last night when I received the latest newsletter I skimmed over it as I was dozing in my chair. :) This morning, after having had time to read with full clarity, I wanted to let you know that the last part of the newsletter regarding [website name deleted] and “new media” bias was just flat great stuff.

I also wanted to say that as a 18 month member (roughly) I would concur that you do the best possible job of keeping your content free from editorial bias or slant. That is the reason that I value SMU as much as I do for my steel information. Please keep up what you’re doing. I am registering today for your conference in October. I look forward to personally meeting you.

Talking to you I surely felt that I knew you for a long time. I sincerely appreciated your visit. You are different and different people make the difference in this world. Congratulations to what you are pursuing with the SMU and for your achievements with it.

Please accept this letter as my appreciation for your invaluable services to Dawson County during the design and bid preparation of our new Dawson County Government Center and Courthouse. Your guidance concerning steel prices and when to release our bid resulted in an awarded bid of 15.5 million as opposed to the 30 million originally anticipated. The citizens of Dawson County owe you a debt of gratitude, and I would highly recommend your services to anyone looking to construct a major project. Please let me know if I can ever assist you in any way. Thank you again!

I wanted to thank you for providing an up to date and informative newsletter that lets me keep my finger on the pulse of our industry. I’ve found the data you’ve provided helps me navigate through these difficult times and allows me to keep abreast of trends as seen by others in the steel sector. It’s great to see the development of the SMU from basically a bulletin to an in-depth publication and website that provides a true steel market assessment. Keep up the great work!! Best wishes, John Chirikas CEO Horizon Steel Co.

The Steel Market Update has been a great tool not only for our own knowledge but our clients as well. We use it quite often to back up the information we pass on to them. Keep up the great work!

I have been a subscriber of yours for a bit over six months, and I really enjoy your newsletter. You seem to be in the middle of great information flows which are unavailable to me through other steel industry observers – please keep up the good work!

I have known John Packard for more than 25 years. We have worked together as colleagues. He was a galvanized supplier to my company for 11 years - or longer. I watched John develop his newsletter in the early 1990's when we worked together at Pacesetter Steel Service, Inc. where he produced Galvanized Steel Update. Once John started Paragon Metal Services, Inc. it was only a matter of time before he felt the need to keep his clients informed about steel pricing, market momentum and why events were happening. His foresight saved us a lot of money and has allowed our company to grow and prosper over the years. As long as there is a steel business there needs to be a quality publication like Steel Market Update to keep the playing field level and the competition honest.

STEEL MARKET UPDATE is a regular part of my industry reading. Whether its market news or John’s insight on current dynamics, each UPDATE is ahead of the curve in providing needed information for strategic decision making. It’s like having your personal analyst on call 24-7.

Just wanted to send you a quick line letting you know how invaluable I find your updates. As far as I am concerned they are right up there with AMM and a few other publications as must read’s every day.

I like the updates you provide. It gives me the information I need to see what’s going on out there and where the markets are headed.

I enjoy reading your reports because I always learn something and your reports are well written.

As you are probably aware, I have been reading your newsletter for some time and find it interesting and useful.

We are a heavy-duty construction trailer manufacturer and I have been paying close attention to your articles. With the constant price increases I am always trying to find ways to stay ahead of the game and your articles definitely help me to do that… Thanks for all the great information, keep up the good work!

I am a big fan of your tri-weekly newsletter for many reasons and would highly suggest it to anyone in the business. As the owner [of a mid-sized Midwestern service center] I am involved in purchasing and sales along with day to day operations. I feel purchasing and sales are the most integral parts of my business. Having said that I rely heavily on the information you provide on what the mills are charging and the general trends of steel usage and pricing. I cannot find this specific information anywhere. With your many years of experience, as well as having worked at all levels of the supply chain, your knowledge is unprecedented. Thanks for your insight and thanks for helping my kids get new shoes.

Your ‘new’ publication and its format structure is truly enjoyable and most informative.

After reading your website today, I wanted to be added to your list of customers. I find the information you provide, the most current and accurate available. Even quicker than the announcements being sent by my suppliers… Thanks for your time and newsletter.

I am a new subscriber to your newsletter and I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy reading what you have to say. The material that you cover is some of the best that I have read out there. Keep up the good work.

My name is Lin Pryor. I am Managing Director of Big O Metals – established January 2006. We have 50+ loyal customers, that we consider company members. All of us have been religious readers of your STEEL MARKET UPDATE newsletter since we began receiving it – November 13, 2007. Your newsletter has become necessary and sufficient to Big O Metals in conducting our day-to-day business. With your editorial, our members (customers and employees, alike) are becoming more educated with the Steel Industry. In-turn, this knowledge has helped us create a tightly woven Trust with our customers. You should be very proud of your accomplishments, not only your solicitation of metals, but your editorial of the Industry. I just wanted to drop you a note saying, “Thank you” and we look forward to subscribing to your STEEL MARKET UPDATE on a more permanent basis.

As always I look forward to reading what you have to say. Your insight has been very helpful. I’ve been doing this for 33 years and the last 6 months have been the most dynamic/interesting time that I can remember. As always knowledge is king.

I enjoy reading your column every morning! You are right on when you say that sharing the best, accurate information is the best way to keep a level playing field. Keep up the good work!

I've been in the industry the last twenty years and I respect what you have to say about our industry.

I have found the Steel Market Update to be a valuable tool in my business. I tend to read it first because it consolidates information about the flat rolled market and eliminates unnecessary news. I have known John Packard for many years and feel very comfortable in his ability to gather and share market pricing and news. John’s steel experience provides a level of trust which is appreciated.