Archive for July, 2009
Excess Prime Hot Rolled Bars
FOB Chicago area, subject to prior sale DIMENSIONS GRADE TONNAGE #BUNDLES 1/4″ x 3.5″ x 20′ A-36 HR Flat 26.43 11 1/2 x 3.5″ x 20′ A-36 HR Flat 26.18 11 .670″ x 1.296″ x 400″ 1018 HR Flat 13.27 3 .671″ x 1.046″ x 264″ 4140 HR Flat 0.68 1 [...]
Chinese mills settle for provisional 33% ore discount
Several mainland steelmakers have accepted a “provisional” 33 per cent price cut from the world’s largest iron ore miners and may allow annual contract talks to lapse as domestic steel demand is growing, industry sources said.Although no final agreement has been reached between the mainland and global iron ore suppliers, many steelmakers settled on a [...]
Steel Trade Issues with China
Fair Trade is what US steel mills and steel users are looking for. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Energy Secretary Steven Chu make their first trip to China this week since taking office. It seems that as soon as China has been accused of dumping steel products in semi-finished steel, they switch to [...]
Managing a Construction Firm in a Down Economy
By Matt Stevens As we tend to be slightly negative as an industry and as a society, it is important to look objectively at the current turmoil in the U.S. construction market. Whatever your informal view is of our current economic situation, remember that business markets expand and contract but rarely stay the same. In [...]
Surplus/Secondary Plate offer
Prices FOB Chicago area, subject to prior sale. DIMENSIONS AVAILABLE PRICE/CWT .305/.320 x 96/98 x 360/361 3 pcs. $19.95/cwt. 548 x 73 x 144 20 pcs. [...]
Introducing Coface Credit Insurance
We have one basic premise for our steel trading transactions with customers. We will supply you with steel, and in exchange, you will pay us the agreed price at the time it is due. It is surprising how difficult this has become with some customers during this economic climate. After being burned by customers who [...]
Second half of 2009
Dear customers and suppliers, Welcome to the first of our monthly newsletters. This is being sent in an effort to be informative of steel issues you may not have heard about, and also to bring you business ideas that might bring savings and profit to your company. After a roller coaster ride during the past [...]
What do traders do?
A well known steelmogul told the audience at the Steel Survival Strategies meetings that traders need to be removed from the supply chain. He said removing traders would make the supply chain more efficient and sustainable. Well, I beg to differ. You actually need us more than you think. When steel mills are fully booked, [...]
Chinese Steelmakers hope for continued rise in prices
A poll by Steel Business Briefing shows 57 per cent of 30 mainland China mills, including 18 of the top 20, expect steel prices to rise this quarter despite its being a usually low season. Mainland steel prices have rallied since mid-April and output has hit a high, supported by price increases at mills and [...]
Iron ore sales strong to China
Chinese steel mills are paying Rio Tinto spot market prices for its iron ore that are higher than the benchmark, and the company is shipping material at a record rate, a company spokesman said on Monday. With business and iron ore prices booming, Rio seems to be in the driving seat in talks with Chinese [...]
