Tag: Manufacturing

Earlier this month, retired General David Petraeus, whose resume is as impressive as any I’ve seen, held a fireside chat at the National Press Club with Century Aluminum CEO Jesse Gary and Mark Duffy, the president and CEO of the American Primary Aluminum Association. During that widely reported chat, retired Gen. Petraeus stated that the US was not militarily ready for a conflict. Because the event concentrated on aluminum, and primary aluminum at that, his remarks hit harder than I think the full facts warrant.

Metalformers’ economic outlook softened in the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) October Business Conditions Report. Still, the bulk of respondents continued to expect stable conditions. The monthly survey of 80 metalforming companies in the US and Canada provides an economic indicator for manufacturing over the next three months. “While this month’s survey reflects increased caution about the near-term economic outlook, the energy and investment on display at FABTECH this week tell a broader story about our industry’s resilience,” commented Mark Getsay, PMA’s managing director. Participation at the event, Getsay said, “demonstrates metalformers’ continued commitment to investing in new technologies, developing their workforce and strengthening their competitiveness for the future.”

The majority of buyers SMU polled this week expect prices to continue rising from here, supported by limited supply. Demand is said to be strong, with most remarking that it is stable to improving. Most say inventories are moving faster this year than last, attributed to tight supply, late mill deliveries, and generally leaner supply chains. Imports continue to appeal to many buyers on both price and availability, but lead times, tariffs, and other risks remain. Buyers are split on whether President Trump’s tariff policies are helping their businesses and whether they’re seeing manufacturing reshoring.

Behlen Mfg. Co. announced the closure of its Behlen Building Systems manufacturing facility in Sarasota, Fla. The company cited high production costs in the Southeast US, higher material and freight costs, and its commitment to operating efficiently and remaining competitive. Behlen expects the closure to be completed by Dec. 18. A Florida WARN notification shows 55 employees will be affected. “This was a difficult decision, particularly because of the impact it will have on our employees in Sarasota,” said CEO Tom Boal in a statement. “We are grateful for the dedication, hard work, and contributions of our Sarasota team.

Nucor Corp. announced a $60 million investment to expand its Towers & Structures facility in Trinity, Ala., to increase production of steel poles and other structures for utility infrastructure. The Towers & Structures manufacturing facility, which began operating in September 2025, is adjacent to the Nucor Steel Decatur flat-rolled mill. The expansion will add production capacity, laydown space, and a dedicated galvanizing inspection area, the company said. "Utilities across the country are making significant investments to strengthen and modernize the nation's power grid," remarked Nucor Chair and CEO Leon Topalian. "By expanding our Trinity facility adjacent to our Decatur sheet mill, we can combine American-made steel with highly efficient manufacturing to better serve our utility customers and support their long-term infrastructure needs. “

Manufacturing activity improved in several Federal Reserve districts, but conditions remained mixed nationwide, according to the Fed’s Oct. 14 Beige Book report. Demand was strongest in steel, machinery, defense-related products, and data center infrastructure. Steel producers in the Cleveland District reported firm spot market demand. Data center, power-generation, defense, and aerospace projects supported orders. Long mill lead times kept customer inventories lean and prices high. Producers also reported higher orders from truck-trailer and light-vehicle manufacturers. International demand for hydrogen vehicle parts increased.

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.

Shipbuilding is set to return to Sparrows Point, Md. President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced plans to develop a new shipbuilding facility at the site called Arsenal-2. The 2-million-square-foot facility sitting on an 187-acre site will manufacture critical components for the Virginia-class submarine. Sparrows Point is the former site of Bethlehem Steel, once the world's largest steel mill, and the Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard.

Nucor plans to invest $105 million to expand production at its utility towers and structures plant in Crawfordsville, Ind.

SMU’s latest Flat-Rolled Steel Survey points to largely stable demand, but foreign steel orders have softened since the previous survey, and service centers continue to report stronger activity than manufacturers.

The latest Manufacturing PMI Report from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) shows the US manufacturing sector experienced growth in September, albeit at a slightly lower pace than in the month before.

Farming equipment manufacturer John Deere announced it will call back more than 375 employees to work across its Quad Cities factory operations.

The Greenbrier Companies received orders for 3,400 new railcars with an aggregate value of ~$600 million during its fiscal fourth quarter ended Aug. 31.

Worthington Enterprises reported higher fiscal first-quarter sales and earnings while citing rapidly growing data center demand and continued tightness in the steel market.

Metalformers’ optimism softened in the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) September Business Conditions Report.

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.

Kibar Americas said production has started at its aluminum plant in Fairmont, W.Va., where it will manufacture products for the HVAC, packaging, automotive and industrial sectors.

The phrase “Fortress North America” seems to resurface anytime US, Canada, and Mexico trade negotiations roll around. The idea of an economic Fortress North America burst onto the scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s in the lead up to NAFTA. In theory...

Manufacturing activity in New York state continued to expand in September, but at a slower pace than in August, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey.

Manufacturing picked up across 10 of the 12 Federal Reserve districts. It was again one of the stronger sectors in the Fed's Sept. 2 Beige Book report.

Vehicle affordability pressures are limiting growth in vehicle volumes, according to Mark Strand, deputy chief economist at Cox Automotive. SUVs, fleet activity, and aftermarket work could support steel demand, he told the audience last week at Steel Summit 2026 in Atlanta.

The latest ISM Manufacturing PMI registered 54.6% in August, according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). The reading was just one percentage point lower than in July.

The August Business Conditions Report issued by the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) found that North American sentiment improved markedly in August. “While metalformers expressed growing caution in July, this month’s survey reflects a notable improvement in sentiment,” said Mark Getsay, PMA’s managing director. “The increase in companies expecting stronger economic activity and higher order volumes is an encouraging sign.”

“I think this will be a year of economic growth,” the economist said in his Sylvester Stallone-themed keynote discussion at the SMU Steel Summit this week in Atlanta. He estimates real GDP growth of about 2.0-2.3%.

Barry Zekelman supports durable, predictable steel trade protection—and the Section 232 tariffs in particular—as a foundation for reinvestment in domestic manufacturing capacity.

Ryerson's CEO says US reshoring remains in its early stages, despite rising investment in manufacturing capacity.

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.

Ford Motor Co. announced it will reshore production of Lincoln-brand vehicles as part of its commitment to American manufacturing. The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker said it will phase out the importation of vehicles from China for the US market and increase domestic Lincoln production starting in 2030.

The investment in St. Joe, Ind., will add capabilities to produce steel grating products. The Charlotte, N.C.-based steel company expects the investment to create 20 new full-time jobs. Those are in addition to the over 300 workers currently employed there.

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.