Go to GlobalSpec.com Home
Newsletter   FREE GlobalSpec e-Newsletters
Receive the latest news, trends, and technology relevant to your work.
(See Titles)

March Steel Distributor Survey Results (pdf)

From All Metals & Forge
 

 
Overall end market activity in March continues to be lackluster, averaging 0.8% growth over the same quarter last year compared to 1% in February and .4% in January. On a sequential basis, demand activity was unchanged with 68% percent of respondents reporting flat growth over February. Non-residential construction, energy and fabrication continue be strong end markets for steel but are being offset by weakness in automotive, residential construction and manufacturing markets. Furthermore, less than impressive flat product order activity continues to have an offsetting effect on long product activity growth which is ramping due to the seasonal pick up in commercial and industrial construction. The average mill spot selling price for hot rolled sheet increased for the first time in over 8 months to $542 per ton (+ $22) and ranged between $535 and $550 per ton throughout the month. Announced sheet price increases for April of $25 - $30 per ton are being fully absorbed, as reported by over 90% of our contacts. For May, mini-mill producers NUE and STLD are trying to pass sheet increases through of $50 to $60 per ton which is not being supported by their integrated counterparts which reportedly have increased May pricing $25 - $30. Despite Nucor positioning itself to be the price leader in flat products, consensus is that realized average price increases are likely to be limited to the $25 -$30 per ton offered by MT and X. Distributors voiced concerns this month over the effects that increasing prices may have on a sluggish demand environment, suggesting that purchases are likely to be delayed or cancelled as a result.

Products & Services
Stainless steel alloys are austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, precipitation hardened (PH), and duplex metal materials that are available in a wide variety of grades, shapes, and sizes. Search by Specification | Learn more about Stainless Steel Alloys
Titanium and titanium alloys are non-ferrous metals with excellent corrosion resistance, fatigue properties, and a high strength-to-weight ratio. Search by Specification | Learn more about Titanium and Titanium Alloys
Copper, brass and bronze alloys are non-ferrous metals with excellent electrical and thermal conductivity as well as good corrosion resistance, ductility and strength. Search by Specification | Learn more about Copper, Brass and Bronze Alloys
Tool steels are wear resistant ferrous alloys based on iron and carbon with high levels of alloying elements such as chromium, molybdenum, tungsten and vanadium. Search by Specification | Learn more about Tool Steels
Aluminum and aluminum alloys are lightweight, non-ferrous metals with good corrosion resistance, ductility and strength. Search by Specification | Learn more about Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys

Product Announcements
3 Dimensional Services - Forming and Fabricating
3 Dimensional Services' forming and fabricating operations manufacture parts through stamping, laser processing, hydroforming, tube bending and waterjet cutting. (read more)
Harrington Hoists, Inc. - Jib & Gantry Cranes
Harrington's FG fixed height and AG adjustable gantry cranes are your solution where mobility is required. All jib and gantry systems are built to spec - specifications available per individual... (read more)
Tempco Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Sheet Metal Forming
Tempco provides sheet metal forming services to produce metal parts ranging from vending machine parts to metal parts for the automotive industry. Sheet metal forming refers to various processes used... (read more)
Zo-Air Co., Inc. - Equipment Rental and Leasing Services
Our rental capabilities here at Zo-Air Company are expansive. Let our well-trained customer service representatives answer any questions you may have. (read more)
Ace Crane - T Series Gantry Cranes
The T Series Gantry Crane from Ace Crane is the most versatile Gantry Crane on the Market. Capacities to 10 Ton Spans to 40'-0" Heights to 24'-0" Three Way Adjustment Available... (read more)
3 Dimensional Services - Injection Molding
One of the hallmarks of 3-Dimensional Services is that when 3 Dimensional Services sees a need, they respond. And they saw a need for fast plastic parts development. 3 Dimensional Services answered... (read more)
Lintech Components - MAX322CUA - MAXIM
The MAX320/MAX321/MAX322 are precision, dual, SPST analog switches designed to operate from ±3V to ±8V dual supplies. (read more)
 

Topics of Interest
Demand growth for stainless steel continues to be strong, driven by strength in aerospace, manufacturing, and fabrication end markets which offset further weakness in residential construction and... (Read More)
Based on our latest steel distributor survery, overall service center order activity in the month of November fell 1.4% on a year over year basis compared to 2.2% growth in October. On a sequential... (Read More)
Based on our latest steel distributor survey, overall service center order activity in the month of November fell 1.4% on a year over year basis compared to 2.2% growth in October. On a sequential... (Read More)
Purchasing activity inched along last month as our contacts are reporting end market activity growth of 1% over February of last year compared to 0.4% in January and -1% in December. On a sequential... (Read More)
Purchasing activity got off a slow, but positive, start in January as continued weakness in automotive and residential construction partially offset sequential gains reported in manufacturing,... (Read More)