Other

• Twelve indications the worst of the recession is over for metals Jun 22, 2009

  Is the worst of the downturn behind us? Analysts at Metal Bulletin Research have taken a hard look at the market and found 12 reasons to be optimistic:

• Chrysler restarting seven assembly plants later this month Jun 17, 2009

  Chrysler LLC will resume producing vehicles with the startup of seven of its North American assembly plants the week of June 29, the company said Wednesday.

• USW steps behind Trumka as next AFL-CIO president Jun 17, 2009

  The United Steelworkers union’s international executive board has unanimously endorsed Richard Trumka as the next president of the AFL-CIO.

• Treasury refuses more aid to auto suppliers Jun 17, 2009

  The Obama administration is holding the line on funding to automotive parts suppliers, which received $5 billion in aid this spring.

• US gov’t slates over $300M for clean-energy technology Jun 16, 2009

  The U.S. Department of Energy will invest more than $300 million to develop clean-energy technology, Steven Chu, secretary of energy, said.

• Copper, aluminum price indices rise in May Jun 16, 2009

  Copper and aluminum import and export pricing indices rose month on month in May, while those for iron and steel prices declined during from April, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report.

• Steel mills’ PPI down in May, but iron scrap logs increase Jun 16, 2009

  The producer price index (PPI) for steel mill products dipped again in May from a month earlier, while the iron and steel scrap index increased in the same comparison, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• Senator questions closing of GM stamping plant in Ohio Jun 15, 2009

  Ron Bloom, a top official on President Obama’s Auto Task Force, was grilled at a Senate Banking Committee hearing over General Motors Corp.’s move to close “its most productive” stamping plant.

• Clean-energy technology lands over $300M in Energy Dept. funds Jun 15, 2009

  The U.S. Department of Energy will invest more than $300 million to develop clean-energy technology, Steven Chu, secretary of energy, said Thursday.

• Canadian firm saves Noble blanking plant Jun 15, 2009

  Canada’s Multimatic Inc., a privately held automotive stamping, welding and assembly company, has received bankruptcy court approval to acquire the Butler, Ind., plant of Noble International Ltd., which expected to close the facility if it didn’t find a buyer.

• Melting Pot Jun 12, 2009

  Stranger than fiction

• Ala. county gearing to nix $24M in development pacts Jun 12, 2009

  Financially troubled Jefferson County in Alabama plans to renege on $24 million in economic development commitments made to 10 companies, including two in the metals industry and one auto supplier.

• Price Notice Jun 11, 2009

  AMM plans to cease publication of its chromium price effective June 12, 2009. The price will be replaced with Metal Bulletin’s free-market price for aluminothermic chromium, min. 99%. Readers’ comments on the proposed change should be sent to newsroom@amm.com by June 12.

• Tough choices forced on auto metal suppliers Jun 11, 2009

  A handful of metal companies serving the automotive industry continue to face tough choices on downsizing and consolidating operations, and one in particular is trying to overcome obstacles in its reorganization effort.

• ‘Buy American’ in line with pacts: USTR Jun 10, 2009

  The United States stands by its international commitments when it comes to implementing “Buy American” requirements in the economic stimulus package, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) said Wednesday.

• ‘Buy American’ in line with accords: USTR Jun 10, 2009

  The United States stands by its international commitments when it comes to implementing “Buy American” requirements in the economic stimulus package, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) said Wednesday.

• Infrastructure modernization key for freight system: study Jun 09, 2009

  A massive increase in freight volumes expected during the next 25 years reiterates the need for new investments and efficiency improvements in the sector, according to the results of a study.

• Price Notice Jun 09, 2009

  AMM plans to cease publication of its chromium price effective June 12, 2009. The price will be replaced with Metal Bulletin’s free-market price for aluminothermic chromium, min. 99%. Readers’ comments on the proposed change should be sent to newsroom@amm.com by June 12.

• State court told to revisit Massey ruling Jun 08, 2009

  The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Monday that a West Virginia Supreme Court judge should have recused himself from hearing the appeal of a $50-million jury verdict against Massey Energy Co. after receiving campaign contributions from the company’s chief executive officer.

• Obama holding off on ITC appointments till next year Jun 08, 2009

  With trade issues largely pushed to the back burner for the rest of the year, it looks unlikely that the Obama administration will make any appointments to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) until next year, trade sources said.

• Letter to the Editor: Slab imports key in Duferco Farrell flap Jun 08, 2009

  To the Editor:

• ‘Buy American’ rule makes waves on both sides of issue Jun 08, 2009

  The “Buy American” provision in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is continuing to make waves both at home and abroad.

• Price Notice Jun 05, 2009

  AMM plans to cease publication of its chromium price effective June 12, 2009. The price will be replaced with Metal Bulletin’s free-market price for aluminothermic chromium, min. 99%. Readers’ comments on the proposed change should be sent to newsroom@amm.com by June 12.

• Unemployment climbs to 9.4% in May Jun 05, 2009

  The unemployment rate rose to 9.4 percent in May from 8.9 percent the previous month, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).