Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
October 8, 2018
I have chosen not to include the sub-$40 hot rolled being sold by JSW Ohio (former Mingo Junction/Acero Junction). The mill is using slabs and is having a difficult time getting the slabs from the port to their facility. This has led to some on-time issues. They have only sold about 20,000 tons, which is not a large amount of steel, and the market prices should not be reflective of their attempt to continue to supply some material to the market until their EAF comes online. Our understanding is the EAF should run some trials in early to mid-November. However, some of you are interested in what they are doing, and we have found their pricing to be in the high $30’s.
Steel Market Update will visit the JSW Ohio mill once their EAF is through the experimental stage, hopefully by early December.
One more day in the office before I hit the road again. Next trip is to Minnesota. Then back for a few days before heading to Cincinnati (Newport, Ky.) where I will be speaking to the AWMI Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky chapters on Oct. 18. I believe tickets are still available and I promise to say something interesting…
One more reminder that our Dec. 11-12, 2018, Steel 101: Introduction to Steel Making & Market Fundamentals workshop has only a couple of seats still available. We will have a sold-out workshop and the class looks to be very diverse – an interesting group. The North Star BlueScope mill is an excellent mill to tour, and we look forward to working with them once again. I think this is our third workshop in conjunction with NSB. We thank them for their continued support of our educational efforts. You can learn more about the workshop on our website: www.SteelMarketUpdate.com/events/steel101
For those of you who are not yet aware, Diana retired from Steel Market Update at the end of September. If you are trying to reach our accounting people, you can do so by contacting info@SteelMarketUpdate.com. We have a couple of new hires who are working with SMU in the CRU Pittsburgh offices, and we will be introducing them to you very soon.
As always, your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, President & CEO

John Packard
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