Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
December 7, 2018
JSW Ohio (former Mingo Junction mill) has been struggling to get their existing electric arc furnace (EAF) up and running. It was supposed to have fired up last week, but we were told there is an issue with the oxygen, and the new ETA first heat date is Monday or Tuesday of this week. I am following this closely as I have been invited to visit the mill once the furnace is running. I will keep our readers advised on the situation at JSW Ohio and what that means for hot rolled supply and pricing as we move into the New Year.
I understand that Nucor is switching their zinc coating extras back to table “C” for contract customers. Are any of you having discussions with other mills regarding zinc coating extras?
We sent our SMU Service Center Inventories “Flash” Report to all data providers this morning. We are hopeful that the full report will be completed by the afternoon of Dec. 14. If your company is a data provider and you have any questions, or if your service center/wholesaler would like to participate in our service center inventories analysis, please contact DeWayne Tuthill at DeWayne.Tuthill@crugroup.com or by phone: 724-720-1008. I am also available to answer any questions you might have.
I will be traveling on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week as SMU is conducting one of our Steel 101 workshops to a sold-out crowd in Toledo, Ohio. I will return to my office on Thursday at 8 a.m. ET.
Paige Mayhair will be attending our Steel 101 workshop, as well. If you have any questions, please contact Brett Linton at 706-216-2140.
As always, your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, President & CEO

John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Final Thoughts

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.

Final Thoughts
A recurring theme in conversations with some of you and in the comments submitted in our surveys is concerns about demand and uncertainty around tariffs. Where does SMU’s latest opinion polling on President Trump’s tariffs stand? Let’s take a look at the numbers.