Company Announcements
July 17, 2026
Written by Ethan Bernard
Liberty Steel workers at its Bartonville, Ill., facility face furloughs after an industry downturn, according to a media report.
A company spokesperson told WMBD-TV News in Peoria, Ill., last week that the majority of the workers affected will be at its wire mill. But the action is temporary, and “we are looking forward to bringing all employees back.”
Gerdau announced on Nov. 2 that it will raise special bar quality (SBQ) prices by $60 per short ton ($3/cwt). The increase is effective for all new orders and shipments starting Jan. 1, 2027, according to a letter sent to customers. It applies to all hot-rolled carbon and alloy SBQ products, including rounds, squares, flats, special sections, and thermally processed products.
GrafTech International recently celebrated its 130th anniversary. The Brooklyn Heights, Ohio-based graphite electrode producer has a long and storied history. To discuss that story, Alexey Simushkin, director of marketing and marketing intelligence at GrafTech, sat down with SMU. He talked about the company, the market, and GrafTech’s outlook for the future. With over 70% of the US steel produced using electric-arc furnace steelmaking, graphite electrodes are an important component for the domestic steel industry.
Mexican longs producer Deacero has cast the first billet at its new minimill in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, moving the Danieli-supplied caster into commissioning. It's a key milestone for Deacero's $600-million Ramos II mini-mill, said Italian plant engineering and equipment provider. "The achievement further strengthens the long-standing collaboration between Deacero and Danieli, and further confirms Danieli’s already-established presence in the Mexican long-products market," the company said in a statement on Nov. 2.
Nucor said on Monday, Nov. 2, that its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil will be $1,280 per short ton (st) this week, up $10/st from last week. The CSP for HR coil from California Steel Industries (CSI) on the West Coast will be $1,350/st, also up $10/st from a week earlier. Nucor continues to offer lead times of three to five weeks, according to its letter to customers. You can track mill price announcements on our website. Steel Market Update published a weekly price assessment on Tuesday, Oct. 27, showing HR coil prices averaging $1,305/st, up $15/st from the previous week.
National Material Company has completed its acquisition of Arlington Metals Corp., the companies said in a joint press release. National Materials, a service center based in East Chicago, Ind., said the acquisition of Arlington Metals, a Franklin Park, Ill.-based toll processor, will allow it to serve customers across a broader range of markets and metals. "Arlington Metals is a great fit for us," said Blake Johnson, president of National Material.