Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
January 11, 2019
I heard from one of my trading contacts who lives inside of China over the weekend. He had attended an economic lecture, the topic of which has been banned in China. China’s economy is a mess. I will have more on the Chinese economy and what it might mean for North America in the coming days.
The U.S. government is still partially shut down. This means no import data, TSA employees are beginning to call in sick (they are not being paid), food is not being inspected. Amazing that our government has become so dysfunctional.
The Jan. 29-30 Steel 101 workshop, which will be held in Starkville, Miss., and will tour the SDI Columbus steel mill and paint line, is close to being sold out. You can find more information about this workshop on our website: www.SteelMarketUpdate.com/Events/Steel101 or you are welcome to contact me at John@SteelMarketUpdate.com
A number of companies reached out to me late last week asking for speakers for their internal or supplier events. I will try to accommodate those needs where possible. I am also speaking to CRU about having some of their resources involved, as well. If you have an interest in obtaining a speaker, please contact me.
Note our SMU Steel Summit 2019 banner. Registration is open.
I was interviewed by National Public Radio (NPR) on Friday regarding the steel fence proposed by President Trump. I do not yet know when it will air.
I will be in my office all week. Please feel free to reach out to me should you have any questions, remarks or suggestions. As noted above, I can be reached at John@SteelMarketUpdate.com or by phone at 800-432-3475.
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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When a mapmaker constructs a map, it’s always to the contours of the land. Or sea. That is, the mapmaker doesn’t say, “Look, these rocks really don’t belong here, so I’m not going to include them in the harbor map.” Uncharted rocks, sink ships (along with loose lips).
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We had an October surprise here at SMU on Wednesday. I was working from the CRU office in Pittsburgh, and the internet connection briefly went out. As luck would have it, that happened smack in the middle of a live Community Chat webinar. Fortunately, my colleague David Schollaert stepped in, Zekelman Industries CEO Barry Zekelman rolled with the punches – and the show went on. Could there be any more October surprises in store for us and for the steel market?
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We just wrapped up another Steel 101 workshop, easily the most hands-on industry workshop on steelmaking and market fundamentals, in this humble opinion. Last week on Tuesday and Wednesday, SMU’s Steel 101 was held in Starkville, Miss.