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    September 11, 2018

    Weekly Raw Steel Production: Industry Finally Hits 80 Percent Utilization Goal

    Written by Brett Linton

    U.S. raw steel production finally topped the 80 percent capaciity utilization level the industry considers necessary for sustainable profitability. The American Iron and Steel Institute reported a utilization rate for the week ending Sept. 8 of 80.2 percent, up from 79.8 percent in the prior week, and up from 73.4 percent the same week one year ago. The last time the capability utilization rate was this high was the week ending Aug. 23, 2014, when 1,932,000 tons were produced at a rate of 80.3 percent.

    Raw steel production for the week totaled 1,879,000 net tons, the eighth week in a row that steel output topped 1.8 million tons. Production was up 0.5 percent from the previous week and up 9.8 percent from the same period last year.

    Brett Linton

    Brett Linton is a digital operations analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

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