Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
Written by Tim Triplett
June 25, 2018
John Packard is on an airplane somewhere over the Atlantic, on his way to meet with our new colleagues at the CRU Group, which is headquartered in London. I’m sure John would agree, as he travels far away, that this comment from a Steel Market Update subscriber hits very close to home.
Responding to our query this week about the current atmosphere for pricing and mill negotiations, one service center executive shared the following thoughts: “Domestically, there isn’t much to negotiate. The number is the number. For imports, it’s all about the continued uncertainty of what the next tweet could be and how to do business without knowing the rules. There has NEVER been a time when having good business partners, not just vendors but true business partners, has been more important.”
I think the message holds true for all types of relationships. Steel Market Update was acquired by the CRU Group less than a month ago, so our partnership is still evolving. But the synergies between the two organizations are unmistakable and the possibilities are limitless. When John gets back from London, I’m sure his head will be full of new ideas for new products and new programs to help Steel Market Update subscribers navigate today’s treacherous steel market.

Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
We’ve been talking about a potential inflection point for the past couple of weeks. And the market does appear to be nearing one.

Final Thoughts
SMU uses ferrous scrap survey data to take AI out on a test drive.

Final Thoughts
Will a US-UK meeting next week prove a harbinger of tariff deals to come, or will it be just another case of having the rug pulled from under us?

Final Thoughts
When will we see prime scrap become scarce as the worldwide transition to EAF melting increases, especially for HRC production? It's a question I've been asked a lot.

Final Thoughts: The hidden cost of analysis paralysis in the age of uncertainty
With US economic indicators all over the map, it’s no wonder the steel market has experienced a whole lot of analysis paralysis this year.