Supply Chain

• PMI falls to lowest level since summer 2009: ISM Dec 03, 2012

  Declines in new orders, inventories and employment helped drive the November manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) down 2.2 percentage points compared with the previous month, according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM).

• Arkansas forms aerospace alliance Dec 03, 2012

  The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce announced last week the formation of the Arkansas Aerospace Alliance, a trade association intended to promote the aerospace and aviation industry in the state.

• Engineering group Sandvik to slash about 950 jobs Dec 03, 2012

  Swedish industrial conglomerate Sandvik AB has announced further restructuring plans, including the loss of some 950 jobs worldwide.

• Calif. port strike has uneven effect on metals Nov 30, 2012

  A walkout by dock workers at the California ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach that entered its fourth day Friday is having an uneven impact on steel trade, with most imports arriving unimpeded but some disruption occurring in exports of containerized scrap.

• MRC buying Texas-based energy firm Nov 30, 2012

  MRC Global Inc. has agreed to acquire energy services firm Production Specialty Services Inc., the company said Friday.

• Aluminum not going away as key aero input: Michaels Nov 30, 2012

  Airline producers’ demand for aluminum will increase in the coming years despite earlier forecasts to the contrary, ICF SH&E vice president Kevin Michaels said at the Credit Suisse 2012 Aerospace and Defense Conference Thursday.

• Commerce invites input on import duties Nov 30, 2012

  The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) is inviting interested parties to file requests for administrative reviews of anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on various imports.

• Commerce initiates review of wire rod, garment hangers Nov 30, 2012

  The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) has initiated administrative reviews of anti-dumping duty orders on imports of carbon and alloy steel wire rod from Mexico and steel wire garment hangers from China.

• Russel’s B&T Steel to add levelers Nov 30, 2012

  Russel Metals Inc. plans to invest $7 million to upgrade two cut-to-length lines at its B&T Steel division in Stoney Creek, Ontario.

• Correction: AISI calls for action on Mississippi shipping crisis Nov 30, 2012

  Due to a reporting error, a story in the Nov. 19 edition incorrectly stated that the American Iron and Steel Institute had asked its member companies to call on Congress to urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to hasten work clearing obstacles on the Mississippi River. AISI has called on members of Congress, not its member companies, to back letters supporting action on the issue.

• Bull Moose Tube, Elkhart said in possible deal Nov 29, 2012

  Either Bull Moose Tube Co. or its parent company, Caparo Plc, is rumored to be in a deal to acquire Elkhart Metal Distributing Inc., according to sources familiar with the situation.

• Commerce rules on Chinese tapered roller bearings Nov 29, 2012

  The Commerce Department has determined in an anti-dumping duty administrative review that tapered roller bearings from China and producer/exporter Ningbo General Bearing Co. Ltd. were not imported during the June 1, 2011, to May 31, 2012, period of review.

• Aluminum extruders challenge Commerce ruling Nov 29, 2012

  The Aluminum Extrusions Fair Trade Committee is contesting a Commerce Department ruling that imports of solar panel mounting systems are excluded from the scope of existing anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on aluminum extrusions from China.

• Pipe, tube market braces for uncertain 2013 Nov 29, 2012

  Pipe and tube market players don’t expect much year-end holiday cheer, with most buyers still sidelined by an uncertain business outlook, low prices and a slowdown in drilling.

• All Metal Sales sues Teleflex for alleged nonpayment Nov 29, 2012

  All Metal Sales Inc. is suing GKN Aerospace New England Inc. for allegedly withholding payment for metal shipments valued at nearly $140,000.

• Metal shipments, orders rebound in October Nov 29, 2012

  U.S. metal producers’ shipments rose 1.8 percent in October following a 5.7-percent drop in September, while new orders grew 7.5 percent, more than reversing a 5.4-percent decline the previous month.

• PCC back to aero buys, will acquire Synchronous Nov 28, 2012

  Precision Castparts Corp. (PCC) is back to buying aerospace machining capabilities with the proposed acquisition of Synchronous Aerospace Group, following a brief break in strategy to pick up titanium capacity.

• Outlook bright for US auto sales: Toyota Nov 28, 2012

  Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc.’s top executive expects 2013 sales in the United States to top this year.

• Noranda not impacted by low Mississippi River levels Nov 28, 2012

  Noranda Aluminum Corp. does not anticipate any impact from low water levels on the Mississippi River.

• Advisory Council opposes A123 Systems' deal Nov 28, 2012

  The Strategic Materials Advisory Council is urging the U.S. government to oppose the proposed acquisition of battery manufacturer A123 Systems Inc. by Chinese automotive parts manufacturer Wanxiang Group Corp.

• VW’s $64.6B investment plan includes Mexican upgrade Nov 28, 2012

  Volkswagen Group will invest €50 billion ($64.6 billion) over the next three years to build new plants and upgrade older facilities, as well as develop new models and environmentally friendly technologies.

• MidWest Materials promotes two execs Nov 28, 2012

  MidWest Materials Inc. has named Kerrie A. Rusnak as logistics manager and Mike Alley Jr. as logistics coordinator.

• CarTech’s Mark Kamon to retire Nov 28, 2012

  Mark Kamon, Carpenter Technology Corp.’s senior vice president of commercial specialty alloy operations, will retire at year-end.

• O’Neal division promotes Miller Nov 28, 2012

  O’Neal Manufacturing Services has appointed Matt Miller as marketing coordinator.