HSS tags up $50/T; buyers still skeptical

Nov 19, 2012 | 03:39 PM | Michael Cowden

Tags  hollow structural sections, HSS, Atlas Tube, Independence Tube, Maruichi Leavitt, Welded Tube of Canada, Bull Moose Tube, Southland Tube American Tube Manufacturing

CHICAGO — Domestic hollow structural sections (HSS) producers have announced price increases following a similar boost in steel coil tags.

While the move was widely anticipated, buyer sources were skeptical Monday about whether the increase of at least $50 per ton ($2.50 per hundredweight) might stick or to what extent, given uncertainty surrounding an attempt by coil mills to increase their own prices (amm.com, Nov. 16).

The latest round of HSS hikes was kicked off by Chicago-based JMC Steel Group Inc. subsidiary Atlas Tube Inc., which said in a letter to customers dated Friday that prices would increase by a minimum of $50 per ton for HSS shapes through 12 inches square, equivalent rectangles and HSS rounds through 20 inches in outside diameter, effective with all new orders. Atlas said orders already on the books would be kept at pre-increase levels through Dec. 15 shipments.....