Steel Products

Seats Still Open for Steel 101 Workshop in Iowa
Written by John Packard
April 22, 2019
We thought it would be a good idea to share the agenda of a typical Steel 101: Introduction to Steel Making & Market Fundamentals workshop so you can get a feel for what we cover. Our instructors each have decades of steel experience as metallurgists, purchasing experts, sales, marketing and market intelligence. Our next workshop is a few weeks away and will be held just outside of Chicago in Davenport, Iowa (Moline is the closest airport, O’Hare is 2 hours away). Please review the agenda and if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com
Workshop Schedule: Day One
Registration & Breakfast |
7:00 AM |
Welcome & Introduction |
7:30 AM |
Industry Structure | 7:40 AM | What Makes Steel? |
The Steel Making Process | 8:40 AM | The Steel Making Process – Blast Furnace/BOF/Casters/Electric Arc Furnace |
Break | 9:50 AM |
Flat Rolled Products |
10:00 AM | Coil & Sheet, Plate |
Painted Steel | 11:00 AM |
End Session |
12:00 PM | Load Shuttle for Steel Mill Tour |
Luncheon | 12:30 PM | Arrive at Mill- Luncheon and Introduction |
Mill Tour | 1:00 PM | Mill will provide guides with SMU instructors as back-up for one-on-one questions. |
End Tour | 4:30 PM | Load Shuttle for Hotel |
End Day 1 Instruction | 5:00 PM | Arrive Back at Hotel |
Cocktail Reception | 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Cocktail Party & Networking Dinner |
Workshop Schedule: Day Two
Breakfast | 7:00 AM |
Round Table Discussion |
7:30 AM | Review of Day 1 Instruction & Mill Review |
Quality |
8:00 AM |
Long Products | 8:30 AM |
End Applications |
9:00 AM |
Commodities | 9:30 AM | Commodities and their Impact on Steel Pricing |
Break | 10:00 AM |
Steel Pricing | 10:15 AM | How Flat Rolled & Long Steel Products are Bought and Sold |
Market Fundamentals |
11:00 AM | Identifying and Understanding Global & Domestic Steel Market Fundamentals |
Luncheon | 12:00 PM |
Risks in the Supply Chain |
12:30 PM | Identifying Potential Risks in the Steel Supply Chain that May Impact You |
Available Tools & Resources |
1:45 PM | Understand the Data, Tools and Resources Available |
Closing Remarks |
2:45 PM | Course Review & Q&A |
End Day 2 | 3:00 PM | End of Workshop |

John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products

September energy market update
In this Premium analysis we examine North American oil and natural gas prices, drill rig activity, and crude oil stock levels through September. Trends in energy prices and rig counts serve as leading indicators for oil country tubular goods (OCTG) and line pipe demand.

Market says cutting interest rates will spur stalled domestic plate demand
Market sources say demand for domestic plate refuses to budge despite stagnating prices.

U.S. Steel to halt slab conversion at Granite City Works
U.S. Steel said it plans to reduce slab consumption at its Granite City Works near St. Louis, a company spokesperson said on Monday. The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker will shift the production and processing of steel slabs to its Mon Valley Works near Pittsburgh and its Gary Works near Chicago. Citing a United Steelworkers (USW) union memo, […]

SMU Week in Review: September 1-5
Here are highlights of what’s happened this past week and a few upcoming things to keep an eye on.

HR Futures: Market finds footing on supply-side mechanics
As Labor Day marks the transition into fall, the steel market enters September with a similar sense of change. Supply-side fundamentals are beginning to show signs of restraint: imports are limited, outages loom, and production is capped, setting the stage for a market that feels steady on the surface but still unsettled underneath.