Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
July 29, 2015
First, I want to thank a number of our readers who went out of their way to compliment Steel Market Update on our coverage of the cold rolled trade case in Tuesday’s issue. My background is such that I have been on both sides of the fence – both at a steel mill and representing trading companies. I have also worked with manufacturers around the country as they struggled to remain competitive in a global economy. Our newsletter will not take sides but we will try to present as many opinions and angles to the story as possible. If you have an opinion that you would like to share you are welcome to send it to me at: John@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
On Saturday of this week Steel Market Update will begin our 8th year. We incorporated and began officially selling our newsletter and services on August 1, 2008. One of our early customers (and one of my former steel customers) didn’t know what I would write about after the first 30 days… I guess we fooled him! Thank you to everyone who has helped myself and our team keep Steel Market Update running and competing against those that are bigger, stronger and better financed. Your business has been truly appreciated.
It was a little odd seeing Steel Market Update name in print in a legal petition asking for Critical Circumstances by the domestic mills. No one told us ahead of time and I only discovered that we were cited as a source of industry information (worldwide) when I read a copy of the 63 page document. So, any of you out there who are on a trial to our newsletter – if the mill attorney’s believe what we say… well, what are you waiting for? You can register to become our newest member on our website or, you are welcome to contact our offices at 800-432-3475 (706-216-5440).
Are you attending #SteelSummitConference this year? We will have a big announcement early next week. Hint, it has to do with your mobile device…
As always your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, Publisher
John Packard
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Final thoughts
SMU has heard from some larger buyers who have stepped back into the market to buy at prices that, if not at a bottom, they assess to be close to one. Is it enough to stretch out lead times and send prices upward again? Or do we continue to scrape along the mid-$600s per short ton (st) as we have been doing for most of the last month?
Final thoughts
Cleveland-Cliffs Chairman, President and CEO Lourenco Goncalves had some insightful things to say today about the steel market and about a conference we suspect might be Steel Summit.
Final thoughts
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, when you add in some commentary from respected peers in the steel industry to those pictures, that may shoot you up to five thousand words, at least. In that spirit, we’ve added some snapshots from our market survey this week, along with some comments from market participants.
Final thoughts
I thought we’d have more clarity this week on Section 232, Mexico, and a potential carve-out for steel melted and poured in Brazil. As of right now, the only official comment I have is from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
Final thoughts
There are just 40 days left until the 2024 SMU Steel Summit gets underway on Aug. 26 at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) in Atlanta. And I’m pleased to announce that it's official now: More than 1,000 people have registered to at attend! Another big development: The desktop version of the networking app for the event has officially launched!