Category: Manufacturers/End Users

AMU: Ford and GM's results show earnings supported by tariff timing and mix, while volumes, inventory, and cash flow point to a constrained supply and uneven demand.

Sheet market participants reported steady to elevated demand over the past week. But while spot prices continued to edge up, some sources said lead times were becoming more closely aligned to industry norms.

Baker Hughes' latest data shows the US rig count inching up by one while the Canadian count held steady in the week ended April 24.

AZZ reported steady demand across its Metal Coatings network, as infrastructure, power, and data center projects continued to drive high galvanizing volumes.

US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer said Mexico should not expect the upcoming USMCA review to result in the removal of US steel and aluminum tariffs, according to media reports.

The economic outlook by metalforming manufacturers remains steady for the next three months, said the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA). 

AZZ Inc. closed fiscal 2026 with record sales and sharply higher profitability, driven by strong demand for hot-dip galvanizing and steady execution across its Metal Coatings network. Its Precoat Metals segment, however, continued to face weaker volumes in construction-related markets.

Revelar Capital's portfolio firm, Steele Solutions, plans to accelerate the pace of operational growth at newly acquired Maysteel Industries.

Core to the negotiations will be the need for a fundamental rebalancing of the relationship between the United States, Mexico, and Canada - especially when it comes to the steel and autos supply chain.

The US and Canadian oil and gas rig counts inched lower this past week, according to the latest Baker Hughes data.

Participants in the hot- and cold-rolled coils market are optimistic about the market's health.

SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices indicate that steel buyers remain highly optimistic about their businesses’ chances for current and future success.

Manufacturing activity in New York state strengthened in April, with steel-adjacent producers reporting firmer demand and improving throughput, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey.

Ken Simonson, chief economist for The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), will join SMU for a Community Chat webinar on Wednesday, April 15, at 11 a.m. ET.

Plate market participants we spoke to this week offered a long list of concerns: escalating fuel and freight expenses, consolidated sources of end-market demand, tariff-related complications, as well as long lead times and delivery delays from US mills. The cherry on top? An ever shrinking availability of spot tons from domestic mills.

Ken Simonson, chief economist for The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), will join SMU for a Community Chat webinar on Wednesday, April 15, at 11 a.m. ET.

The president’s April 2 proclamation restructures how derivative products are classified, valued, and tariffed – a shift that industry groups say will close loopholes but could raise costs for certain downstream imports.

The petitions allege that foreign producers are selling seamless and welded OCTG at unfairly low prices and, in Austria’s case, benefitting from countervailable subsidies.

Metalformers’ economic outlook for the second quarter softened in March, said the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA).

Most steel buyers see prices continuing to inch higher on stable or improving demand. But some are concerned higher energy prices stemming for the Iran war could dent the overall economy.

Ken Simonson, chief economist for The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), will join SMU for a Community Chat webinar on Wednesday, April 15, at 11 a.m. ET.

The galvanized sheet market continued to tighten in March as distributors and service centers reported firm demand, low inventory levels, and rising transportation costs. Participants on the monthly HARDI sheet metal and air-handling call on Wednesday described a market defined by constrained supply and steady upward pricing pressure.

Heating and cooling equipment shipments declined in January to the second-lowest rate recorded over the past nine years.

Participants in the US hot- and cold-rolled sheet market cautiously called the week a win as prices inched north and demand picked up.  

Plate industry sources said the market has been characterized by three factors lately: fewer domestic mills willing to fulfill spot buys, inconsistent lead times, and erratic demand.

SMU sits down with JSW Steel USA CEO Rob Simon.

Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tenn., voted overwhelmingly last week to ratify a labor contract with the United Autoworkers. The deal marks the first union contract for Southern autoworkers outside the “Big Three” Detroit-area automakers.

Participants in the domestic sheet market say they experienced lighter inquiries and fewer orders than in previous weeks, rendering domestic mill price increases for spot-market hot- and cold-rolled coils irrelevant.  

The galvanized steel market is navigating price increases and longer lead times with a surer footing than in prior months.  

Emissions rules, production limits and material substitution are reshaping steel and aluminum use in North American vehicles.