We are seeing a divergence in the normal spread between hot rolled lead times and those of cold rolled and coated products. Normally, we would see HRC lead times at just a couple of weeks less than that of the other “higher value” products. With the demise of the energy segment of the industry that […]
Yesterday (Monday, January 25th) I visited the AHR Expo (ASHRAE for us old timers) in Orlando. I had not attended one of these shows for probably six years or more. This show used to be a mandatory visit for me when I was a salesman peddling galvanized steel. I remember when the Carrier Corporations, York-Borg […]
The vast majority of the respondents to our latest flat rolled steel market analysis believe that the domestic steel mills will be able to collect “some” of the latest round of price increases which range from $20 to $30 per ton. In our latest assessment of the flat rolled market, we asked whether the domestic […]
USW and ArcelorMittal negotiations resumed last week with hope of a possible compromise after a tentative contract was reached at US Steel. According to the latest information update from the USW, an impasse between the parties still continues concerning retiree benefits and contract language that could affect future labor agreements. “While ArcelorMittal has dropped its […]
On Tuesday evening ArcelorMittal advised their customers of their intention to raise carbon flat rolled sheet prices. In an email to their customers the mill advised that they would be raising prices on hot rolled, cold rolled and coated steels (galvanized and Galvalume). The mill told their customers: “Effective immediately with all new quotations, ArcelorMittal […]
The U.S. Department of Commerce issued their Preliminary Determination on countervailing duties (CVD) of hot rolled coil from Brazil, Turkey and South Korea. Affirmative results were found against Brazil with CSN and Usiminas both receiving subsidy rates of 7.42 percent. All other Brazilian mills not named also received 7.42 percent subsidy rates. Turkey and South […]
Workers at US Steel will receive ballots and a summary of the tentative three-year contract this week. Over the next two weeks steelworkers will cast their votes on whether to ratify or reject the new contract. The USW said it expects to count ballots on February 1. The USW has urged the membership to ratify […]
Media reports indicate that ArcelorMittal Steelton, a producer of rail in Pennsylvania, may be up for sale. Local government officials and the president of USW Local 1688 say they have been informed by the company that the facility is for sale. A spokesperson for ArcelorMittal said the company “does not comment on rumors or market […]
Steel Market Update received the following press release from the US Department of Commerce International Trade Administration regarding the release of the preliminary determination for the hot rolled countervailing duty portion of the hot rolled trade case: On January 11, 2016, the Department of Commerce is scheduled to announce its preliminary determinations in the CVD […]
USW and ArcelorMittal resumed contract talks this week in Pittsburgh. The negotiating committees first met in June 2015 and USW members have been working under a contract extension since Sept 1. Mark Glyptis, president of the United Steelworkers Local 2911 in Weirton said he is hopeful that a settlement will be reached soon. “This has […]
The flat rolled steel price roller coaster did not do the steel mills or companies holding inventory any favors this past year. We saw hot rolled prices drop from just below $650 per net ton (average) at the beginning of the year to the low point of $360 per ton achieved the week of December […]
Last year was a major year for labor contracts that affected the steel industry. After months of slowdowns and contentious negotiations on the West Coast in 2014, the PMA/ILWU finally ratified a contract in May of 2015. The labor dispute caused delay of steel shipments and other products, congestion on the docks, and shifted some […]
SMU anticipates that with US Steel and the USW coming to a tentative agreement that it is only a matter of time before the ArcelorMittal negotiations will also come to a resolution, most likely very similar to the one negotiated at USS. The union has not yet voted on the USS package and, if there […]
December 16, 2015 – ArcelorMittal today announces that Lou Schorsch, 66, senior executive vice president, member of the Group Management Board and CEO of ArcelorMittal Americas will retire from the company, effective end of February 2016. Mr. Schorsch joined the company in 2003 as CEO of Ispat Inland. Going forward it has been decided to […]
On Friday Nucor and ArcelorMittal USA followed the lead of NLMK USA, Northstar Bluescope and AK Steel by announcing steel price increases on hot rolled, cold rolled and galvanized coated steels. Nucor sent a letter to their customers advising them that base prices on new orders would increase by a minimum of $40 per ton […]
I expect the other domestic mills to go along with price increases of their own – whether they choose to announce the move may depend on what they feel is in their best interest. I would anticipate that Nucor will come out with their own announcement. US Steel and ArcelorMittal are in the process of […]
A Delaware judge invalidated a patent by ArcelorMittal in a ruling favoring AK Steel in a dispute that has been ongoing for almost six years. The original suit, filed in January 2010 by ArcelorMittal, claimed that AK Steel’s lightweight, high-strength steel Ultralume, used in automotive applications, violated ArcelorMittal’s 2001 patent (patent 6,296,805—referred to as ‘805) […]
The following article was written by Xavier Boucherat and appeared in the Q4 2015 issue of Automotive Megatrends Magazine and is being reprinted by Steel Market Update with permission. It may be lighter, but aluminium is fundamentally a quick fix, and OEMs currently using aluminium will convert those parts back to steel to reduce mass […]
USW workers received a letter from ArcelorMittal over the Thanksgiving holiday indicating that retiree premium contributions may be increased early next year. The overall purpose of the letter was to announce the open enrollment period for 2016, but the letter’s language was troubling to members. The USW sent an update reassuring workers that protections and […]
The USW and ArcelorMittal will take a break from contract talks over the Thanksgiving holiday and resume on November 29. The USW reminded the membership that the terms and conditions of the previous agreement remain in effect as negotiations continue. Said the USW in a membership update, “As we have reported in previous updates and […]
The HARDI wholesalers held their monthly galvanized steel conference call earlier today. During the call the wholesalers provided insights into business conditions affecting the companies and discussed the status of the flat rolled steel markets. HARDI wholesalers supply galvanized sheet and coil steels to the mechanical contractors associated with residential and commercial construction in North […]
For those of you who have been steady readers and members of Steel Market Update you know that the purpose of my Final Thoughts is for me to voice some of my thoughts and opinions on a wide range of topics. I am going to use this forum today to speak about what I am […]
USW/ArcelorMittal talks are continuing this week with meetings scheduled through Friday, November 20. Healthcare benefits will be the focus of discussions. The USW reminded members that the extension of the existing contract with the US Steel remains in force and that the company remains bound by the basic labor agreement, including grievance procedures. Retirees received […]
USW/ArcelorMittal talks are continuing this week with meetings scheduled through Friday, November 20. Healthcare benefits will be the focus of discussions. The USW reminded members that the extension of the existing contract with the US Steel remains in force and that the company remains bound by the basic labor agreement, including grievance procedures. Retirees received […]
ArcelorMittal USA has introduced a new Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP) for non-represented salaried employees, effective January 1, 2016. Employee contributions for single coverage under CDHP will average $65 per month and family coverage will be $198 per month. ArcelorMittal says the plan is still highly competitive with other plans in the industry. Employees will […]
ArcelorMittal reported a $700 million loss for third quarter which it blamed on falling prices and dumping of steel by China. Third quarter EBITDA was $1.35 billion. “Operating conditions have deteriorated in recent months, both in terms of the international steel price environment which has been driven by unsustainably low export prices from China and […]
I am aware that on October 23, 2015 the domestic steel mills filed allegations of critical circumstances on exports of hot rolled coil from four countries: Brazil, Australia, Japan and The Netherlands. I will have more details and statements from both buyers and sellers later this week. I wanted to spend time studying the affirmative […]
The USW is taking a brief break from talks with US Steel. In an Oct. 27 update, the USW said US Steel continues to demand “major changes to health care benefits that would amount to thousands of dollars per year in added costs” for active works and retirees. The parties also wrangling over contract provisions […]
ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor experienced a fire on a raw material conveyor on Oct. 27. The fire, which started at about 7:20 p.m., was quickly contained. No injuries were involved and there was no disruption to blast furnace operations. Alternative methods of handling raw materials are being used while the conveyor belt is repaired. “There is […]
After three days of non-stop packaging followed by 24 hours of non-stop cleaning we have finally departed our Georgia offices and are in transit (as I write) to our new location in Florida. It is a two day trip so if you call our office you may get a voice mail message – my apologies […]