Supply Chain

• Edgen Group proposes public offering Dec 30, 2011

  Energy distributor Edgen Group Inc. has proposed an initial public offering (IPO), according to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

• More copper fabricators, distributors upbeat Dec 30, 2011

  More copper fabricators and distributors expect order levels to improve in the new year following a decrease in shipments in November, according to a Copper and Brass Servicenter Association (CBSA) report.

• US wind tower coalition files trade petitions Dec 30, 2011

  The Wind Tower Trade Coalition, which represents domestic manufacturers of utility-scale wind towers, has petitioned the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission (ITC) to conduct anti-dumping investigations into imports of Chinese and Vietnamese wind towers as well as a countervailing duty investigation into Chinese wind towers.

• Steel execs look for repeat of ’11 in new year Dec 30, 2011

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

• Joy Global buys 41% stake in IMM Dec 30, 2011

  Heavy equipment manufacturer Joy Global Inc. has acquired 41.1 percent of the outstanding common stock of Hong Kong-based International Mining Machinery (IMM) Holdings Ltd., giving the company 69.2 percent of IMM’s outstanding common stock, according to a company statement regarding the purchase.

• Processor installs coil polish line Dec 30, 2011

  Specialty Metals Processing Inc., a flat-rolled products toll processor, is now offering coil-to-coil polishing.

• Distributor adds water-jet cutter Dec 30, 2011

  Penn Stainless Products Inc. has installed a new water-jet cutter at its Quakertown, Pa., operation.

• Pacific Steel hit with class-action lawsuit Dec 30, 2011

  Pacific Steel Casting Co. is facing its third labor-related challenge in less than a year with a class-action lawsuit seeking an estimated $31 million in damages from the company.

• US, Canada drilling slows Dec 29, 2011

  The number of drill rigs running in the United States fell by 11 last week, led by North Dakota (down seven).

• PMA advocate James B. McGregor Sr. dies at 63 Dec 29, 2011

  James "Jim" B. McGregor Sr., vice chairman of McGregor Metalworking Cos., Springfield, Ohio, has died at the age of 63.

• Metals shipments weaken during November Dec 23, 2011

  Primary metal producers and metal fabricators registered a sharp drop in shipments during November vs. October, while inventories fell just slightly, according to data published Friday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

• Keystone XL approval bill moves forward Dec 23, 2011

  The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to approve a two-month payroll tax cut bill that also includes provisions that would force President Obama to approve TransCanada Corp.’s Keystone XL project.

• Trucking rules to hurt supply chain: industry Dec 23, 2011

  Lowering the cap on truckers’ driving hours could hurt supply chains and efficiency, some industry players argue.

• Energy firm to buy Marcellus system for $750M Dec 23, 2011

  Williams Partners LP has entered a deal to acquire the Marcellus Shale’s Laser Northeast Gathering System for about $750 million.

• Innersprings duty review against China rescinded Dec 23, 2011

  An anti-dumping duty new shipper review covering uncovered innerspring units (in 30½- to 76-inch widths and 68- to 84-inch lengths) from China is being rescinded by the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA).

• Toyota eyes growth despite Moody's downgrade Dec 22, 2011

  Toyota Motor Corp., undeterred by a downgrade in its credit rating, is projecting a 20-percent increase in global sales and a 24-percent rise in global production next year.

• Auto-parts probe said growing in scope Dec 22, 2011

  The Department of Justice continues to widen its investigation into an automotive parts price-fixing conspiracy as more suppliers are said to be offering information in order to avoid facing criminal charges themselves.

• Ellwood National Steel orders VOD system Dec 22, 2011

  Ellwood National Steel has ordered a vacuum-oxygen decarburization (VOD) system from SMS Siemag LLC.

• Keystone XL decision awaited as bills OK’d Dec 22, 2011

  A decision on the controversial TransCanada Corp.’s Keystone XL pipeline project will likely be imminent after legislation received approval on Capitol Hill.

• Evraz to boost N. America rail output Dec 21, 2011

  Evraz Group SA plans to upgrade its Pueblo, Colo., rail production facility and increase output, the Russian steelmaker said Wednesday.

• Leggett & Platt in deal to buy aero supplier Dec 21, 2011

  Leggett & Platt Inc. has entered a deal to purchase aerospace components supplier Western Pneumatic Tube Holding LLC.

• Mid-West Materials adds new stretcher-leveler Dec 21, 2011

  Mid-West Materials Inc. has added a new stretcher-leveler to its corrective leveling operations.

• Joy Global expects mining sector to be cautious in ’12 Dec 21, 2011

  Investment in the mining sector could moderate in the months ahead as macroeconomic uncertainty continues to keep a lid on new spending, equipment maker Joy Global Inc.’s top executive said.

• Pacific Steel replaces 200 workers after probe Dec 21, 2011

  Pacific Steel Casting Co. is in the process of replacing 200 workers, or roughly a third of its work force, after a government investigation found them to be working without proper documents.