US sheet buyers have grappled with supply scarcity in both the spot and contract markets throughout 2026. Now the supply squeeze is spilling over into 2027, according to market participants.
SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) accelerated in August for a fourth consecutive month, reaching its strongest reading in nearly five years.
Tk accelis announced the launch of a new B2B steel buying and selling marketplace called steelbuy USA.
Private equity firm SCF Partners announced it has acquired American Piping Products (APP), a pipe and tube distributor headquartered in Chesterfield, Mo.
SMU’s latest Flat-Rolled Steel Buyers Survey shows that in a tight US market marked by long lead times, low inventories, and rising prices, foreign products continue to gain the interest of domestic buyers.
The results of the latest SMU flat-rolled market survey are now available on our website to all premium members.
Service centers and manufacturers on the Sept. 15 HARDI Sheet Metal and Air Handling Council call described a tight, seller-driven market. Lead times are long, deliveries are late, inventories are thin, imports are down, and demand is strong, causing a shortage of galvanized material. SMU regularly joins the council’s meetings to discuss the galvanized sheet market. Participants — members of Heating, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) — are wholesalers, service centers, distributors, and manufacturers who buy or sell galvanized steel.
US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply declined in August, making the marginal gain the month prior an outlier year-to-date. Shipping days of supply slipped to 44.2 in August, according to SMU data.
Carolina Heavy Steel is set to establish heavy steel processing, fabrication, and coating operations in Ridgeville, S.C.
Totten Tubes has opened a new facility in Cedar City, Utah. The steel tubing distributor and processor, based in Azusa, Calif., recently celebrated the facility’s grand opening.
Worthington Steel marked another step in its takeover of Kloeckner & Co. The Columbus, Ohio-based service center group announced on Sept. 8 that it had signed a domination and profit-and-loss transfer agreement (DPLTA) with Kloeckner. This was pursuant to the rules of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG). The DPLTA continues the process of integrating the German service center group. This follows Worthington’s successful voluntary takeover offer for Kloeckner in June and the delisting of Kloeckner shares on the regulated market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, effective Aug. 12.
Worthington Steel remains focused on further acquisitions after the completion of its buy of service center group Kloeckner & Co.
Tight steel availability and lean inventories are increasing pressure on US service centers, according to speakers on a service center panel on Wednesday, August 26, at the SMU Steel Summit 2026.
Ryerson's CEO says US reshoring remains in its early stages, despite rising investment in manufacturing capacity.
The results of the latest SMU flat-rolled market survey are now available on our website to all premium members.
SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) grew further in July, up for a third straight month. The result came as service center on-order volumes and new order entries accelerated, according to our latest service center inventories data.
Premium Report: US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply rose marginally in July, reversing course for the first time all year. Shipping days of supply ticked up to 45.6, according to SMU data. Service center shipments in were more than 4% below intake, noticeably trailing inbound volumes.
Foreign steel remains sharply competitive, inventory levels are mostly steady, and demand is strengthening, according to SMU's Aug. 7 market survey. But buyers are more selective than earlier in the year, even as pricing momentum continues to push spot levels higher.
Earlier this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to tariffs, imports, and evolving market events. We are sharing a selection of the comments we received below, in each buyer’s own words.
Lindsay Goldberg, a private investment firm specializing in family-owned and founder-led businesses, will make a significant strategic investment in Alro Steel.
Russel Metals posted record quarterly revenues and shipments in the second quarter, boosted by strong market conditions and the integration of seven Kloeckner Metals Co. facilities.
Recent conversations with some hot-rolled coil spot market participants revealed spiking stress levels amidst a tightening supply of the steel sheet product.
The Longview, Texas-based flat-rolled processor and pipe manufacturer reported 206,000 short tons of shipments in the quarter, an increase of 28% from a year earlier.
The results of the latest SMU flat-rolled market survey are now available on our website to all premium members.
In recent conversations, some participants predict mill maintenance outages and scheduled updates will crimp an already constricted market.
SPS Companies has acquired Jemison Metals, a carbon flat-roll service center and fabricator headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., from Jemison Investment Company.
Earlier this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to tariffs, imports, and evolving market events.
Ryerson's profits skyrocketed in the second quarter as company executives touted the initial results following the integration of Olympic Steel.
Privately owned service center group Triple-S Steel has announced its acquisition of Camden Yards Steel Co., effective July 21.
Foreign steel is gaining traction with US buyers, according to SMU's most recent Flat-Rolled Steel Survey. Most manufacturers and service centers now report competitive pricing, and more are placing new foreign orders.