Features

SMA taps Farris as VP of government affairs
Written by Ethan Bernard
June 3, 2024
The Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) has named Brandon Farris as vice president of government affairs.
SMA said Farris will oversee legislative and regulatory affairs, lead the association’s public policy agenda, and manage strategic relationships. He will report to Philip K. Bell, SMA president.
“Brandon Farris has the experience we need in a government affairs executive, including an impressive record of advancing initiatives through grassroots, grasstops and coalition-building techniques,” Bell said in a statement on Monday.
Farris has over two decades of experience. Before joining SMA he was the vice president of domestic policy at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). He was named by The Hill as a top lobbyist in 2023.

Ethan Bernard
Read more from Ethan BernardLatest in Features

Join SMU for a Community Chat With Barry Zekelman Next Wednesday!
Zekelman is known for his straight talk. And his company is one of the largest steel buyers in North America. So he’s got a better eye than most on steel market developments.

Steel market chatter this week
On Monday and Tuesday of this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to imports and evolving market events.

Final Thoughts
Sure, demand isn’t as good the market had hoped it would be earlier this year. But assuming it doesn’t fall of a cliff, buyers will have to restock at some point. And that might give domestic mills enough leverage to raise prices again.

AISI: Raw steel production dips, remains near multi-month high
Following three weekly increases, domestic mill output edged lower last week, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

Nippon eyeing new $4B U.S. Steel mill to sweeten deal: Report
Nippon Steel could build a new domestic U.S. Steel mill with a total investment of $4 billion.