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    Analysis

    August 5, 2025

    Final Thoughts: Happy birthday SMU

    Written by Brett Linton

    Steel Market Update is proud to celebrate its 17th birthday this month.

    Born in August 2008 at the height of the financial crisis, SMU was never meant to be just another trade publication. It began as a personal email from our founder, John Packard, to help his customers make sense of the steel market’s volatility. What started as a one-man effort quickly grew into something much bigger: a trusted voice for the steel industry, delivering timely, useful information to help buyers and sellers navigate a complex market.

    Brett Linton

    Brett Linton is a digital operations analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

    Read more from Brett Linton

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