Steel

• USW reports progress in organizing Dofasco Nov 15, 2007

  The United Steelworkers union said it is making progress organizing workers at a major non-union operation of ArcelorMittal.

• Ryerson earnings decline 55.6% in third quarter Nov 15, 2007

  In the midst of an ownership transition, Ryerson Inc., Chicago, posted lower earnings for the third quarter of 2007.

• Stainless plate import surge causing worries Nov 15, 2007

  An influx of stainless steel plate imports is sparking concern among U.S. industry members, particularly as China steps up its role in the market.

• Chinese output of rebar, wire rod doubles, medium plate rises 61% Nov 15, 2007

  China’s production of reinforcing bar and wire rod doubled in October, with rebar output up 112.3 percent and rod up 102.5 percent compared with October 2006, according to the latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics.

• Stainless plate import surge causing worries Nov 15, 2007

  An influx of stainless steel plate imports is sparking concern among U.S. industry members, particularly as China steps up its role in the market.

• W. Coast mills plan aggressive flat-rolled price moves Nov 15, 2007

  West Coast flat-rolled steel producers have moved aggressively for January as they unveil price hikes that in some cases trump previously announced increases by their counterparts east of the Rockies.

• Siemens records orders from three plate mills Nov 15, 2007

  Siemens Metals Technologies, a division of Siemens AG in Linz, Austria, has received orders from three steel plate mills in Asia. The company signed a second contract with Shagang Wide Plate Mills Co. Ltd., Zhangjiagang, China, for a plate mill measuring 5 meters (196 inches) wide.

• Roll-Kraft buys machining center to lift output Nov 15, 2007

  Roll-Kraft Inc. has ordered a new computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining center to boost capacity at its Mentor, Ohio, headquarters.

• Algoma postpones quarterly earnings report Nov 15, 2007

  Algoma Steel Inc., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, will delay reporting of its third-quarter financial results until Nov. 20. The additional time will allow Algoma to complete its financial statements and obtain necessary board approval, the company said. The steelmaker was acquired by India’s Essar Global Ltd. earlier this year for $1.6 billion.

• Salzgitter inks deal to buy Mexico tube maker Nov 15, 2007

  German steelmaker Salzgitter AG has agreed to acquire Mexico’s Bresmex Tuberia SA de CV in a bid to strengthen its position in North America.

• US ambassador to China urges trade cooperation Nov 14, 2007

  Anxiety about trade is creating a rise in economic nationalism and protectionism in both the United States and China, U.S. Ambassador Alan F. Holmer said in a speech in China Wednesday. Holmer is the special envoy for China and the Strategic Economic Dialogue, a series of meetings between high-level officials from both nations.

• Rolled Metal Products buys Torrington Brass Nov 14, 2007

  Rolled Metal Products Inc., Bensalem, Pa., has purchased a competitor.

• Steel lobbying tab is on track to pass $10.3M Nov 14, 2007

  Lobbying expenditures for the first half of 2007 are in, and the steel industry as a whole is poised to spend even more money than it did in 2006, according to data provided by the Center for Responsive Politics.

• UAW members ratify contract with Ford Nov 14, 2007

  Members of the United Auto Workers union Wednesday overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract with financially troubled Ford Motor Co.

• Hot band trends reverse; global tags off, others up Nov 14, 2007

  Mid-November marked a reversal of trends in global hot band steel pricing, according to the latest SteelBenchmarker report.

• IOC earmarking $120M to scrub lake in Labrador Nov 14, 2007

  Iron Ore Co. of Canada (IOC) is spending $120 million to rehabilitate Wabush Lake.

• Keystone earnings jump, some shipments slip Nov 14, 2007

  Earnings at Keystone Consolidated Industries Inc. more than doubled in the third quarter despite lower sales, caused in part by lower shipments of some products due to the housing slump.

• IOC earmarking $120M to scrub lake in Labrador Nov 14, 2007

  Iron Ore Co. of Canada (IOC) is spending $120 million to rehabilitate Wabush Lake.

• China currency must strengthen to stem US job losses Busse Nov 14, 2007

  The loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs to China could be halted if the Chinese currency strengthened to a rate of around 6 yuan to the dollar, Keith Busse, president and chief executive officer of Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Steel Dynamics Inc., said.

• Avtron signs distribution accord with Shinhan Nov 14, 2007

  Avtron Manufacturing Inc., Independence, Ohio, said it has signed an encoder distribution contract with Shinhan Scientific Co. Ltd., Seoul, South Korea.

• Indiana Harbor Works getting Achieva system Nov 14, 2007

  ArcelorMittal has placed an order with Industrial Automation Services (IAS), Aliquippa, Pa., for the design, supply and commissioning of a zinc-coating mass control system (Achieva Coating Control) for the No. 2 hot-dip galvanizing line at its Indiana Harbor Works in East Chicago, Ind. A new knife control system also is included in the order.

• Siemens replacing Nirosta plant’s AOD vessels Nov 14, 2007

  Siemens Metals Technologies, a unit of Siemens AG in Linz, Austria, recently received an order from stainless steel producer ThyssenKrupp Nirosta GmbH to replace two argon-oxygen decarburization (AOD) converters at its plant in Krefeld, Germany.

• ArcelorMittal acquires hot-dip plant in Estonia Nov 14, 2007

  ArcelorMittal has acquired Galvex Estonia OÜ, a hot-dipped galvanizing plant located at the Muugu port in Tallinn, Estonia.

• Algoma to delay quarterly earnings release Nov 14, 2007

  Algoma Steel Inc., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, will delay reporting of its third-quarter financial results until Nov. 20.