Steel Products Prices North America
Father of Esmark Founding Investor Passes Away
March 21, 2023
Esmark Inc. has announced the passing of Hans Joachim Schmidt, father of Esmark founding investor and longtime member of the Esmark board of directors, Uwe T. Schmidt.
Hans Joachim Schmidt passed away on Feb. 19 at the age of 90, Esmark said, noting that he was a leader and internationally recognized business executive serving the international iron and steel industry for 45 years.
“Hans Joachim was a role model and inspiration to his sons who in turn were instrumental in fueling the success of Esmark and establishing our roots in several industries,” James P. Bouchard, Esmark chairman and CEO said in a statement. “More so, he was an incredible person, father, friend, and industrialist.”
Among his many positions, Schmidt served 37 years with the Thyssen Group (now thyssenkrupp), including the role of president and CEO of Thyssen Canada.
He is survived by his wife, Sigrid “Sigi,” and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Pittsburgh-based Esmark is a diversified, privately held family company with a portfolio of industrial companies with roots in the steel industry.
By Ethan Bernard, ethan@steelmarketupdate.com
Latest in Steel Products Prices North America

SMU price ranges: Flat-rolled balloon continues to leak
Sheet and plate prices were flat or lower again this week on continued concerns about demand and higher production rates among US mills.

HRC vs. busheling spread narrows in August
The price spread between prime scrap and hot-rolled coil (HRC) narrowed in August, according to SMU’s most recent pricing data.

SMU Price Ranges: Market drifts lower still
All five of SMU's steel sheet and plate price indices declined this week, falling to lows last seen in February.

Discontentment brews in plate market with flat, status-quo pricing
Sources in the carbon and alloy steel plate market said they are less discouraged by market uncertainty resulting from tariffs or foreign relations, but are instead, eager to see disruption to the flat pricing environment.

Nucor lowers HR coil spot price by $15/ton
Nucor has implemented a double-digit price decrease on spot hot-rolled (HR) coil for the second consecutive week.