Supply Chain

• Obama, Romney divergent on metals issues Nov 02, 2012

  With just days to go before the presidential election, the stakes are higher than ever as both candidates reach out to voters in their last-ditch efforts to obtain victory. AMM takes a closer look at the track records of President Obama and Republican rival Mitt Romney on issues pertaining to the metals and manufacturing industry.

• L.B. Foster’s tubular, rail sales offset construction weakness Nov 01, 2012

  L.B. Foster Co.’s rail and tubular business units have performed well enough to offset a "difficult" construction market, the company’s top executive said.

• A.M. Castle rebuffs Ryerson takeover move Nov 01, 2012

  A.M. Castle & Co.’s board of directors has successfully fended off a possible takeover by rival Ryerson Inc. and Platinum Equity LLC, Ryerson’s largest shareholder.

• Castle upbeat on aerospace sector’s demand for metals Nov 01, 2012

  While A.M. Castle & Co. executives have seen second-half demand weaken across numerous metals-consuming sectors, including energy, aerospace stands out as a bright spot for the next two years.

• Aluminum distributors feel impact of Sandy Nov 01, 2012

  Aluminum service centers are still feeling the impact from Hurricane Sandy as many are forced to delay or reroute trucks heading to East Coast customers.

• Russel Metals upbeat on energy tubular mart Nov 01, 2012

  Russel Metals Inc. is optimistic about the continued strength of demand in the tubular market.

• Agco, CNH sales rise on N. American demand Nov 01, 2012

  Heavy equipment manufacturers Agco Corp. and CNH Global N.V. reported steady sales increases in the third quarter thanks to healthy global demand for agricultural equipment spurred by rising commodity prices due to the drought in North America.

• E&H buys Indiana Steel & Tube for $5.7M Nov 01, 2012

  A bankruptcy court judge in Indiana has approved the sale of Indiana Steel & Tube Inc. to E&H Tubing Inc. for nearly $5.7 million, according to court records.

• Deacero challenges Commerce decision Oct 31, 2012

  Mexican steelmaker Deacero SA de CV has challenged a determination by the Commerce Department that imports of 4.75-millimeter steel wire rod from Mexico are subject to the same dumping duties as 5-mm material.

• Big Three automakers log profit in 3d quarter Oct 31, 2012

  All three Detroit-area automakers were profitable in the third quarter, with strength in North America largely offsetting substantial losses by European operations.

• Distributors reopen as electricity, staff return Oct 31, 2012

  Service centers in some areas hard hit by Hurricane Sandy opened shop with a reduced work force Wednesday, but it may still take time for some distributors to see their shipment levels return to normal, executives said.

• Russel profits fall on weak demand, lower prices Oct 31, 2012

  Russel Metals Inc.’s profits narrowed in the third quarter as margins were squeezed by global uncertainty and weaker demand.

• AMM pricing database updated Oct 31, 2012

  Due to a server disruption caused by Hurricane Sandy, the pricing database at amm.com/pricing was not fully updated between Oct. 29 and Nov. 4. Server service has since been restored and the pricing database has been updated retroactively.

• Most ports back online post-Sandy Oct 31, 2012

  Most East Coast and Midwest ports that handle shipments of metal were open Wednesday as conditions started to return to normal after super storm Sandy left the majority of logistics hubs with minimal damages.

• Steel, distribution urges regulatory, tax reform Oct 31, 2012

  The failure of both Washington and local governments to give a clear message on economic, tax and regulatory issues continues to discourage investment in steel, manufacturing and metal distribution, executives charged this week.

• Metals firms weather storm, assess damage Oct 30, 2012

  Metals companies spent Tuesday assessing the impact of former Hurricane Sandy, which left a wide swath of flooding, power outages and road and bridge closures along much of the East Coast.

• Shale-Inland hires Essig, sells bonds Oct 30, 2012

  Shale-Inland Holdings LLC has named Mark G. Essig president of its fabrication and distribution services.

• Some ports still closed in aftermath of storm Oct 30, 2012

  Some major metal-handling ports along the East Coast remained closed Tuesday as the impact of superstorm Sandy continued to be felt.

• Spirit AeroSystems may face lawsuits Oct 30, 2012

  At least two law firms are circling Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. for possible class-action shareholder lawsuits in the wake of the aerospace subcontractor’s surprise announcement that it would take a $590-million third-quarter charge related to work on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and other aircraft programs.

• Metals players batten down as Sandy rages Oct 29, 2012

  The metals industry appeared to be well prepared Monday for the impact of Hurricane Sandy.

• Some E. Coast ports close as hurricane passes Oct 29, 2012

  Major metal-handling ports along the East Coast began shutting down Sunday evening in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy.

• Mich., Iowa give tax credits for auto suppliers’ projects Oct 26, 2012

  Economic development authorities in Michigan and Iowa are hoping to attract investments and potential jobs from automotive suppliers through various initiatives.

• Steel rebound will take time: Esmark chief Oct 26, 2012

  This year will end up being below average for service centers, and a recovery will simply take time, Esmark Inc. chairman and chief executive officer James P. Bouchard told AMM.

• Steel service center consolidation likely: execs Oct 26, 2012

  Consolidation in some areas of the steel service center industry is likely to continue, industry executives said during a panel at the Association of Steel Distributors’ fall meeting Friday in Las Vegas.