Distributors/Service Centers
April 22, 2025
Written by Stephanie Ritenbaugh
With a rush to buy early in the year to get ahead of tariffs, the galvanized market saw strong demand in the first quarter. But the question is what will happen during the rest of the year?
The moderator of Tuesday’s HARDI Sheet Metal/Air Handling Council call said their inquiries and shipments are above year-ago levels, and underlying demand is solid.
Earlier this week, SMU polled steel buyers on topics ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to tariffs, imports, and evolving market events. Below, we share a selection of the comments we received, in each buyer’s own words.
Worthington Steel said tight US steel supply, low imports, and extended lead times constrained shipments and quoting opportunities during its first fiscal quarter, even as the conditions supported pricing and spread sustainability.
Worthington Steel reported a surge in sales in its first quarterly results to include the Kloeckner acquisition, but the company posted a net loss as the acquisition reshaped its sales and operating mix.
SMU’s latest Flat-Rolled Steel Survey points to largely stable demand, but foreign steel orders have softened since the previous survey, and service centers continue to report stronger activity than manufacturers.
The results of the latest Steel Market Update (SMU) flat-rolled market survey are now available on our website to all premium members.