Distributors/Service Centers
July 10, 2026
Written by Kristen DiLandro
On the heels of SSAB’s price hike, further domestic mill increases to spot market plate seem inevitable to some participants but unlikely to others.
Manufacturing activity in New York State expanded sharply in October, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey. New orders, shipments, and unfilled orders rose, while delivery times lengthened and supply availability deteriorated further. The survey’s headline general business conditions index rose 18 points from September to 25.5 in October, the highest reading since December 2021. The new orders index climbed 21 points to 23.2, while shipments increased 16 points to 13.1. Unfilled orders also rose, with the index up eight points to 14.0. The delivery-times index reached 19.8, indicating significantly longer lead times.
Sheet buyers found mills slightly more negotiable on price this week, while plate buyers thought mills were less flexible on spot price tags, according to our latest survey data. Every two weeks, SMU surveys service center and manufacturer buyers to see whether mills will negotiate on new spot sheet and plate orders. In this week’s survey, 14% of respondents said mills were willing to talk price to secure an order, up three percentage points from two weeks earlier (Figure 1). This is the highest reading since July 8, when the rate stood at 18%.
Varsteel Ltd. has acquired two additional steel and aluminum service centers in Canada. The Lethbridge, Alberta-based company has added to its portfolio Acier Simmonds of Sherbrooke, Quebec, and Acier Menard of Granby, Quebec. The acquisition builds on Varsteel’s three most recent acquisitions and further expands its market presence in Quebec.
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.