Magazine Issue: 02-February-2012

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Cover Story

Market Spotlight

• Metal markets seen divergent in 2012

  As the new year got under way, copper, iron ore and aluminum—mainstays of the minerals and metals segment of the North American economy—all seemed to be going their separate ways.

• Power shift in iron ore affecting supply, price dynamics

  One of the quiet trends in North American iron ore during the past decade has been the transition from steelmaker ownership of the continent’s iron ore mines to a concentration in the hands of several large steelmakers and one major merchant producer/seller of iron ore.

• Boost in iron ore mine reserves may be start of quiet revolution

  A quiet revolution is sweeping through the global iron ore markets, kicked off in early 2012 when Essar Steel Minnesota LLC announced that its Nashwauk, Minn., taconite property on the Mesabi Range, about 100 miles west of Lake Superior, contained far more ore-bearing rock than it had previously believed.

Columns

• Full of Scrap: Regulators have right idea, but the wrong target

  Recyclers are paying the price as thieves get off with little more than a slap on the wrist.  So what’s the solution?  The IRS might be the ticket.

• Parting Shots: Do the primaries really have to be so long?

  Too many candidates, the profusion of debates and the effectiveness—or not—of the Republican party leadership are dragging out the race.

From the Editor

• COMMENT: AMM Steel Hall of Fame to honor all-time greats

  Making steel may be all in a day’s work for millions of people around the world, but sometimes during the course of that effort a few individuals make history and long-lasting breakthroughs.

Features

• Steel market sees 2012 forecasts similar to 2011

  Executives up and down the steel supply chain say they are gearing up for strong first- and second-quarter pricing and demand ahead of a softer second half as 2012 looks poised to largely mirror 2011.

• Steel market growth eyed in 2012—with caveats

  Strong demand for tube and pipe, along with firm oil and gas markets, could help steel make a comeback.  But it all depends on whether the industry can hold on to shaky price increases, soft automotive and construction sectors, and the way companies deal with increasing backlogs.

• Planned projects push OCTG sector forward

  While the contentious Keystone XL pipeline sits on the back burner, the oil country tubular goods market is moving full steam ahead, with millions of dollars in expansion projects planned to meet ever-increasing demand from North American shale plays.

• AMM Awards: 2012 Steel Tube and Pipe Excellence Finalists

  In the competitive world of the steel tube and pipe industry, what does it take to be the best? AMM addresses that question as we present the finalists of our inaugural Awards for Steel Tube and Pipe Excellence program to recognize the most innovative companies or individuals.

• Steel companies struggle to catch up to IT solutions

  Price volatility drives IT’s small strides in steel, but profitability will have to be the real motivator.

• Siemens robot improves safety, efficiency

  While North American steelmakers have been reluctant to adopt robotic technology, the Simetal LiquiRob is gaining a foothold in mills around the globe that hope to benefit from the robot’s accuracy and consistency as well as keep workers out of harm’s way.

• Wabash trailer could eliminate flatbeds for steel transportation

  Wabash National has created a flawlessly efficient trailer model capable of carrying loads up to 35,000 pounds, and the implications for its use could eliminate the need for flatbeds.

• Energy sector drives pipe and tube demand: Service center execs

  Some service center executives say current demand for metals indicates that 2012 could be a strong year for pipe and tube business.