http://www.amm.comhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/amm/Uusn©2013 www.amm.com60Supply ChainIf we want to strengthen the economy and create jobs through our vast supply of natural gas, then allowing unlimited natural gas exports isn’t the “clear choice” (amm.com, May 21)—it’s the wrong choice. http://www.amm.com/Article/3210132/Letter-to-the-Editor-LNG-exports-will-hinder-US-manufacturing-recovery.htmlThu, 23 May 2013 21:01:00 GMTThe House of Representatives has passed a bill expediting the approval process for TransCanada Corp.’s proposed Keystone XL pipeline. http://www.amm.com/Article/3209964/House-passes-bill-to-expedite-XL-approval.htmlThu, 23 May 2013 18:01:00 GMTAn Illinois structural steel fabricator that slapped a lien on a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co. (BNSF) bridge in Iowa is seeking additional compensation from the railroad for work it performed in the construction of the $61.5-million bridge. http://www.amm.com/Article/3209862/Fabricator-seeks-additional-2M-in-suit.htmlThu, 23 May 2013 16:55:00 GMTJIT Steel Service Inc. has filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against Spig Industry LLC, a manufacturer of guardrails and other finished steel products, alleging that Spig failed to pay more than $122,000 in outstanding invoices. http://www.amm.com/Article/3209436/JIT-Steel-suit-vs-customer-seeks-122089.htmlWed, 22 May 2013 22:21:00 GMTThe outlook among companies that stamp, form and fabricate metals products held fairly steady in May compared with April, even though some have experienced uneven order rates and shipments this year. http://www.amm.com/Article/3209434/Metalformers-outlook-holds-steady.htmlWed, 22 May 2013 22:07:00 GMTAn increase in nonresidential construction starts wasn’t enough to offset a decline in public works in April, resulting in a 1-point slip in the benchmark Dodge Index. http://www.amm.com/Article/3209417/Construction-index-slips-in-April.htmlWed, 22 May 2013 21:30:00 GMTGerdau Long Steel North America says that the steel it produced to create anchor rods for the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge that have since failed met the specifications "it was ordered to." http://www.amm.com/Article/3209403/Steel-for-bridge-made-to-spec-Gerdau.htmlWed, 22 May 2013 20:50:00 GMTU.S. manufacturers have on aggregate stopped offshoring U.S. jobs as domestic production gets comparatively cheaper than producing goods abroad, according to Harry Moser, president and founder of the Reshoring Initiative. http://www.amm.com/Article/3209374/Manufacturing-jobs-return-from-abroad.htmlWed, 22 May 2013 19:27:00 GMTThe owner of a Denver steel supply company has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Export-Import Bank of some $11.2 million. http://www.amm.com/Article/3209371/Steel-supply-exec-jailed-for-US-Export-Import-Bank-fraud.htmlWed, 22 May 2013 19:12:00 GMTMetalico Inc. is buying two privately held scrapyards in Pennsylvania and New York. http://www.amm.com/Article/3209369/Metalico-to-purchase-two-Segel-and-Son-yards.htmlWed, 22 May 2013 19:08:00 GMTAluminum rolled products producer Novelis Inc. and a subsidiary of steelmaker ThyssenKrupp AG have signed a cooperation agreement to produce aluminum parts for the automotive industry. http://www.amm.com/Article/3209340/Novelis-ThyssenKrupp-join-to-develop-aluminum-car-parts.htmlWed, 22 May 2013 18:03:00 GMTSandmeyer Steel Co. sales manager William Laverty Jr. has retired from the stainless steel and nickel alloy plate processor. http://www.amm.com/Article/3209214/Laverty-retires-from-Sandmeyer-Steel.htmlWed, 22 May 2013 15:57:00 GMTFlat-rolled processor Roadrunner Steel LLC has slated a $7-million expansion that will augment its slitting capacity with new leveling equipment. http://www.amm.com/Article/3209211/Roadrunner-Steel-to-expand-processing-capacity-in-Ariz.htmlWed, 22 May 2013 15:51:00 GMTDue to a reporting error, a story posted to AMM's website May 20 incorrectly stated the cost of shipping crude oil by rail and pipeline.http://www.amm.com/Article/3209182/Correction-Pipelines-will-flow-despite-delays.htmlWed, 22 May 2013 15:17:00 GMTWorthington Industries Inc. has promoted two executives who will lead its engineered cabs and Worthington Armstrong Venture (Wave) business segments starting July 1. http://www.amm.com/Article/3209140/Worthington-promotes-two-execs.htmlWed, 22 May 2013 14:26:00 GMTOklahoma-based metal distributors, fabricators, processors and downstream users reached by AMM largely said their facilities escaped damage and employees were safe and accounted for following a devastating tornado that killed at least two dozen people May 20. http://www.amm.com/Article/3208858/Metal-firms-ready-to-help-tornado-victims.htmlTue, 21 May 2013 21:23:00 GMTGeneral Motors Co. plans to build a $44.5-million logistics optimization center at its Grand River assembly plant in Lansing, Mich. http://www.amm.com/Article/3208847/GM-to-build-logistics-center-at-Mich-plant.htmlTue, 21 May 2013 20:55:00 GMTThe United States’ vast supply of natural gas makes exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) a "clear choice," according to America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA). http://www.amm.com/Article/3208820/LNG-exports-a-clear-choice-ANGA.htmlTue, 21 May 2013 19:54:00 GMTMcNichols Co., a distributor of perforated and expanded metals, has opened its 18th service center. http://www.amm.com/Article/3208817/McNichols-opens-Denver-plant.htmlTue, 21 May 2013 19:48:00 GMTHaving received no comments in an anti-dumping duty administrative review of imports of ball bearings from Germany from May 1 to Sept. 14, 2011, the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a final ruling that the product was not sold at less than fair value.http://www.amm.com/Article/3208560/Commerce-rules-ball-bearings-not-dumped.htmlTue, 21 May 2013 14:38:00 GMTPresident Obama has signed an executive order aimed at speeding up major infrastructure projects by modernizing permitting practices and regulations, a move some say could benefit suppliers of steel and other structural components by getting backlogged construction projects off the ground sooner.http://www.amm.com/Article/3208224/Obama-pushes-infrastructure-plans.htmlMon, 20 May 2013 21:26:00 GMTWhile there are plenty of crude oil pipeline projects on the books, the permitting environment is a difficult one, keeping many of those projects from moving forward, according to a refinery operations executive. http://www.amm.com/Article/3208219/Pipelines-will-flow-despite-delays-exec.htmlMon, 20 May 2013 20:53:00 GMTASTM International has approved a new specification for ornamental aluminum fence systems. http://www.amm.com/Article/3208211/Aluminum-fence-standard-OKd.htmlMon, 20 May 2013 20:25:00 GMTDavid H. Hannah, chairman and chief executive officer of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., Los Angeles, has been elected to a two-year term as chairman of the board at the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI), effective July 1. http://www.amm.com/Article/3208203/Hannah-elected-MSCI-chairman.htmlMon, 20 May 2013 19:51:00 GMTAbout 2.2 million charging stations for electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles will be built and shipped worldwide each year by 2020, a huge increase from an estimated 70,000 such stations shipped globally in 2011, according to a new research paper. http://www.amm.com/Article/3208155/EV-charging-infrastructure-to-grow-vastly-by-2020-study.htmlMon, 20 May 2013 18:16:00 GMTHeavy commercial vehicle manufacturer Navistar Inc. has sold its Navistar RV subsidiary to Allied Specialty Vehicles Inc. (ASV), which makes emergency, commercial and recreational vehicles. http://www.amm.com/Article/3208058/Navistar-sells-RV-assets-to-Allied-Specialty-Vehicles.htmlMon, 20 May 2013 16:06:00 GMTNissan North America Inc. has signed an agreement to produce a small cargo vehicle for General Motors Co., which will sell the vehicle in the United States and Canada.http://www.amm.com/Article/3208040/Nissan-inks-deal-to-produce-small-cargo-vehicle-for-GM.htmlMon, 20 May 2013 15:46:00 GMTThe U.S. Department of the Interior has released an updated draft rule on hydraulic fracturing developed by the Bureau of Land Management for public comment. http://www.amm.com/Article/3208007/Public-comment-sought-on-updated-draft-fracking-rule.htmlMon, 20 May 2013 14:57:00 GMTThe number of drill rigs running in the United States was unchanged last week.http://www.amm.com/Article/3207965/US-drilling-steady-Canada-rises.htmlMon, 20 May 2013 13:10:00 GMTDrivers for energy demand include population growth and economic activity. While the world population will grow to 9 billion by 2040 from 7 billion, economies around the world are becoming more efficient with their energy consumption, and at an accelerated pace. http://www.amm.com/Article/3207676/Efficiency-gains-expected-to-slow-growth-in-energy-usage.htmlFri, 17 May 2013 22:21:00 GMTThe House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved legislation that would expedite the permitting of TransCanada Corp.’s proposed Keystone XL pipeline. http://www.amm.com/Article/3207675/House-committee-advances-Keystone-bill.htmlFri, 17 May 2013 22:17:00 GMTDyson Corp. has said that an analysis of steel anchor rods it made for the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge "exonerates" the company on the failure of several of the rods. http://www.amm.com/Article/3207651/Analysis-exonerates-Dyson-executive.htmlFri, 17 May 2013 21:43:00 GMTSouthern Recycling LLC has joined several environmental groups in their efforts to revise a general permit that regulates the sinking of U.S. Navy vessels.http://www.amm.com/Article/3207639/SoRec-joins-bid-to-revise-PCB-disposal-permit.htmlFri, 17 May 2013 21:12:00 GMTTennessee Gas Pipeline Co. LLC (TGP) has signed a 20-year transportation agreement with Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp. to ship 600,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas to the proposed Cameron liquefied natural gas (LNG) liquefaction facility in Louisiana. http://www.amm.com/Article/3207631/TGP-Mitsubishi-ink-natural-gas-deal.htmlFri, 17 May 2013 20:39:00 GMTThe boom in shale oil and gas, and tar sands oil output is good news for America, as well as the U.S. energy and metals sectors, a Marathon Petroleum Corp. executive said May 16.http://www.amm.com/Article/3207628/Shale-boom-a-bonanza-for-steel-exec.htmlFri, 17 May 2013 20:30:00 GMTThe European Union is going to have a very difficult time recovering from its sovereign debt crisis, banking crisis, structural crisis and competitive crisis, according to Gisbert Rühl, chairman and chief executive officer of Duisburg, Germany-based Klöckner & Co. SE. http://www.amm.com/Article/3207576/EU-economic-recovery-may-take-5-years-Klckners-Rhl.htmlFri, 17 May 2013 17:54:00 GMTEnforcing U.S. trade policy and capitalizing on low-priced natural gas will help U.S. steelmakers while offering broad economic benefits, including job creation and manufacturing growth, a number of steel executives said at an industry conference May 16. http://www.amm.com/Article/3207127/Future-bright-despite-challenges-steel-execs.htmlThu, 16 May 2013 23:18:00 GMTService center sources are divided over whether recent data that showed declines in U.S. aluminum shipments and inventories last month indicate tough times ahead. http://www.amm.com/Article/3207125/Aluminum-distributors-divided-over-MSCI-data.htmlThu, 16 May 2013 22:56:00 GMTA waterways infrastructure bill easily passed the Senate May 15, a development that steel interests say will benefit shipping by improving navigation. http://www.amm.com/Article/3207124/Senate-passes-water-infrastructure-bill.htmlThu, 16 May 2013 22:54:00 GMTA federal judge has denied a six-month extension to a group of large steel mills and distributors named in a lawsuit brought by MM Steel LP alleging they conspired to drive MM Steel out of the market. http://www.amm.com/Article/3207114/Judge-nixes-extension-in-MM-Steel-suit.htmlThu, 16 May 2013 22:31:00 GMTWhile the United States remains one of the strongest economies globally, lackluster growth and a large fiscal deficit may cause serious downward pressure in the near term, according to one economist. http://www.amm.com/Article/3207066/Outlook-for-US-is-weak-but-still-better-than-elsewhere.htmlThu, 16 May 2013 22:06:00 GMTPipe and tube distributors say they would welcome a move by flat-rolled steelmakers to take capacity offline in order to prop up pricing for the substrate. http://www.amm.com/Article/3207054/Pipe-distributors-hope-for-flat-rolled-cutback.htmlThu, 16 May 2013 21:19:00 GMTJohn E. Reed, chairman and chief executive officer of Mestek Inc., died May 9. He was 97. http://www.amm.com/Article/3206837/Mestek-chairman-chief-exec-John-Reed-dies-aged-97.htmlThu, 16 May 2013 17:15:00 GMTKobe Aluminum Automotive Products LLC (KAAP) has broken ground on a $66-million expansion at its Bowling Green, Ky., facility as the company looks to boost its offerings to the automotive sector. http://www.amm.com/Article/3206716/Kobe-Aluminum-expansion-will-increase-auto-offerings.htmlThu, 16 May 2013 15:01:00 GMTWilliam T. Phillips, founder and chairman of Phillips Service Industries Inc., has died at age 79 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. http://www.amm.com/Article/3206708/Phillips-Service-Industries-founder-chairman-dies-at-79.htmlThu, 16 May 2013 14:45:00 GMTU.S. service centers saw both aluminum shipments and inventories decline in April from the same month a year ago, while Canadian distributors watched both rise in the same comparison, Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) data show. http://www.amm.com/Article/3206370/US-distributors-aluminum-shipments-slip-MSCI.htmlWed, 15 May 2013 21:43:00 GMTThe North Carolina House of Representatives has passed a bill that would effectively block the use of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ratings for public projects, a move that Nucor Corp. protested because it could hurt steel mills in the region that sell construction-related products. http://www.amm.com/Article/3206358/Nucor-opposes-NC-bill-blocking-LEED.htmlWed, 15 May 2013 21:25:00 GMTTransDigm Group Inc. has entered a deal to buy aerospace component manufacturer Arkwin Industries Inc. for about $286 million in cash, marking its second announced acquisition, the company said May 15.http://www.amm.com/Article/3206333/Aero-supplier-TransDigm-in-286M-deal-to-buy-Arkwin.htmlWed, 15 May 2013 19:41:00 GMTKinder Morgan Energy Partners LP is planning to invest $106 million in Texas. http://www.amm.com/Article/3206219/Kinder-Morgan-to-invest-106M-in-Texas.htmlWed, 15 May 2013 16:30:00 GMTGreenbrier Cos. is retiring $52.9 million of its outstanding convertible debt.http://www.amm.com/Article/3206157/Greenbrier-retiring-529M-in-debt-in-strategic-move.htmlWed, 15 May 2013 15:31:00 GMTMexico’s construction sector contracted 2.3 percent year on year in the first quarter due to a squeeze on cash flows and delays to public works spending as a new government took power. http://www.amm.com/Article/3206073/Mexican-construction-activity-shrinks-in-1st-qtr.htmlWed, 15 May 2013 13:36:00 GMTNissan North America Inc. and Car Charging Group Inc., which provides electric vehicle (EV) charging services, launched a joint initiative to expand the nationwide network of EV charging stations. http://www.amm.com/Article/3205768/Nissan-Car-Charging-Group-to-build-EV-charging-stations.htmlTue, 14 May 2013 19:43:00 GMTBri-Chem Corp. says it is hard to predict how the rest of the year will shape up for the North American drilling market, although it does expect a second-quarter decline in Canadian activity due to the snow melt. http://www.amm.com/Article/3205756/Bri-Chems-N-America-drilling-outlook-clouded.htmlTue, 14 May 2013 19:31:00 GMTEdgen Group Inc. has withdrawn its previously issued guidance for 2013 as it posted a first-quarter net loss of nearly $5.39 million on sales that fell 19.7 percent to $406.1 million. http://www.amm.com/Article/3205736/Edgen-logs-net-loss-withdraws-guidance.htmlTue, 14 May 2013 18:50:00 GMTFord Motor Co. sees promise in new battery technologies and the use of liquid and compressed natural gases as fuel, even though there are obstacles to the widespread adoption of such alternatives. http://www.amm.com/Article/3205541/Ford-targets-alternative-fuel-technology.htmlTue, 14 May 2013 15:18:00 GMTThe oil and gas industry will likely consolidate as tougher environmental regulations take hold, according to an industry survey conducted by oil and gas technical services provider GL Noble Denton. http://www.amm.com/Article/3205535/Environmental-rules-to-spark-oil-gas-consolidation-report.htmlTue, 14 May 2013 15:13:00 GMTShale plays are making the West a "very hot market" for both the railroads and the tank cars that transport output from energy-rich regions, one railroad executive said.http://www.amm.com/Article/3205198/Shale-output-spurs-demand-for-tank-cars.htmlMon, 13 May 2013 22:03:00 GMTChina Gerui Advanced Materials Group Ltd. has retained Craig T. Bouchard’s Cambelle-Inland as an adviser for its strategic planning and expansion in North America and "around the world," the company said May 13. http://www.amm.com/Article/3205195/Cambelle-Inland-to-advise-China-Gerui.htmlMon, 13 May 2013 21:54:00 GMTU.S. Steel Corp. and Kobe Steel Ltd. commissioned the new continuous annealing line at their Pro-Tec Coating Co. joint venture in Leipsic, Ohio, on May 13.http://www.amm.com/Article/3205189/Pro-Tec-commissions-annealing-line.htmlMon, 13 May 2013 21:33:00 GMTTimken Co. has expanded its industrial services capabilities with the purchase of Canadian gear manufacturer Standard Machine. http://www.amm.com/Article/3205162/Timken-buys-Canadian-gear-manufacturer.htmlMon, 13 May 2013 20:09:00 GMTLogistics services provider MoveTran LLC now offers "pick-and-pack" services for steel products throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. http://www.amm.com/Article/3205136/MoveTran-widens-steel-services.htmlMon, 13 May 2013 19:22:00 GMTUniversal Stainless & Alloy Products Inc.’s Bridgeville, Pa., facility has achieved National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (Nadcap) heat-treat accreditation. http://www.amm.com/Article/3205122/Universal-Stainless-Pa-plant-Nadcap-certified.htmlMon, 13 May 2013 18:45:00 GMTOhio Star Forge Co. will break ground May 14 on a $20-million expansion project in Champion Township, Ohio. http://www.amm.com/Article/3205095/Ohio-Star-Forge-to-break-ground-on-expansion.htmlMon, 13 May 2013 17:42:00 GMTLos Angeles-area ports, which already have the reputation of being among the most expensive U.S. arrival points for imported steel, are due to get a lot more costly, according to local shipping industry executives. http://www.amm.com/Article/3205065/Los-Angeles-area-port-costs-climbing.htmlMon, 13 May 2013 17:03:00 GMTNissan Motor Co. Ltd. recorded a profit of 342 million yen ($4.1 billion) on revenues of 9.63 trillion yen ($116.2 billion) for its fiscal year ended March 31.http://www.amm.com/Article/3204541/Nissan-logs-41-billion-profit-for-fiscal-year.htmlFri, 10 May 2013 22:21:00 GMTThe Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued its preliminary results in the anti-dumping duty administrative review on front-seating service valves from China for the April 1, 2011, to March 31, 2012, period. http://www.amm.com/Article/3204487/ITA-issues-preliminary-results-vs-China-valve-imports.htmlFri, 10 May 2013 21:10:00 GMTGreater use of aluminum is helping Cadillac reduce overall weight of its ATS and CTS sedans, the luxury automaker said. http://www.amm.com/Article/3204464/Cadillac-lightweights-luxury-cars-with-aluminum-AHSS-parts.htmlFri, 10 May 2013 20:50:00 GMTA bill aimed at expediting the approval process of natural gas pipelines has been introduced in Congress by Rep. Mike Pompeo (R., Kan.). http://www.amm.com/Article/3204468/Congress-mulls-pipeline-approval-bill.htmlFri, 10 May 2013 20:50:00 GMTTenaris SA launched two new premium connections for deepwater drilling during the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston. http://www.amm.com/Article/3204439/Tenaris-debuts-two-new-premium-connections.htmlFri, 10 May 2013 20:21:00 GMTChina faces significant challenges in developing its shale gas reserves, according to Yan Cunzhang, president of the foreign cooperation administration department at PetroChina Co. Ltd. http://www.amm.com/Article/3204392/China-faces-challenges-in-developing-shale-gas-sites.htmlFri, 10 May 2013 19:45:00 GMTAutomotive supplier Denso Corp. has opened a thermal assembly plant and warehouse facility in Urbandale, Iowa, to supply the construction, agriculture and electric power industries. http://www.amm.com/Article/3204282/Denso-starts-up-Iowa-plant-to-serve-agriculture-construction.htmlFri, 10 May 2013 16:49:00 GMTPetróleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) plans to double its oil and gas output by 2020 and become a significant exporter of oil, its top executive said. http://www.amm.com/Article/3204143/Petrobras-to-double-oil-gas-production-by-2020-Foster.htmlFri, 10 May 2013 14:26:00 GMTPrecision Castparts Corp. (PCC) saw a 23.2-percent jump in net income in its fiscal fourth-quarter 2013 thanks to the contribution of its new Titanium Metals Corp. (Timet) unit, even as PCC continues to deal with problems at a key forging press.http://www.amm.com/Article/3203793/Timet-boosts-PCC-but-press-woes-persist.htmlThu, 09 May 2013 23:13:00 GMTFreeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. remains committed to its proposed acquisition of Plains Exploration & Production Co.’s (PXP’s) oil and gas assets under previously agreed terms. http://www.amm.com/Article/3203790/Freeport-reiterates-support-for-PXP-buy-wont-lift-offer.htmlThu, 09 May 2013 23:05:00 GMTCanada’s Northwest Territories has alternative proposals for getting Alberta crude to world markets if TransCanada Corp.’s Keystone XL pipeline does not get approval, a top government official said at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston. http://www.amm.com/Article/3203788/Canada-has-backup-plans-for-XL-official.htmlThu, 09 May 2013 22:57:00 GMTAlaska supports the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG), its governor said at the recent Offshore Technology Conference in Houston. http://www.amm.com/Article/3203768/Alaska-governor-backs-LNG-exports-Mississippi-unsure.htmlThu, 09 May 2013 22:17:00 GMTThe early months of 2013 are proving significantly more challenging for steel distributors, Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. chairman and chief executive officer David H. Hannah said.http://www.amm.com/Article/3203754/Low-steel-coil-prices-a-challenge-Hannah.htmlThu, 09 May 2013 21:09:00 GMTRegulations on the sourcing of tantalum, tin and tungsten are creating legal headaches in the U.S. manufacturing supply chain, according to panelists at the recent MetalMiner-sponsored Conflict Minerals Edge conference in Chicago. http://www.amm.com/Article/3203590/Inquiries-on-conflict-minerals-rise.htmlThu, 09 May 2013 17:43:00 GMTSeveral congressmen and a retired U.S. Army brigadier general are calling on the federal government to reduce its dependence on foreign-sourced raw materials used in defense equipment.http://www.amm.com/Article/3203580/Import-reliance-said-harming-defense.htmlThu, 09 May 2013 17:39:00 GMTDucommun Inc.’s first-quarter results fell below Wall Street expectations despite a 55.1-percent rise in earnings, sending its stock price plummeting this week. http://www.amm.com/Article/3203031/Ducommun-stock-hit-by-earnings-miss.htmlWed, 08 May 2013 23:21:00 GMTNonresidential construction could return to pre-recession levels within the next few years, with U.S. light vehicle output hitting 17 million units annually by 2018, panelists said May 8 at the Association for Iron and Steel Technology’s AISTech 2013 conference. http://www.amm.com/Article/3203027/Construction-auto-production-outlook-upbeat-at-AISTech.htmlWed, 08 May 2013 22:30:00 GMTToyota Motor Corp.’s net income for the year ended March 31 more than doubled to 962.1 billion yen ($9.7 billion) on revenues that rose 18.7 percent to 22 trillion yen ($222.3 billion) and vehicle sales that rose 20.7 percent to 8.9 million.http://www.amm.com/Article/3203018/Toyota-sees-net-income-more-than-double.htmlWed, 08 May 2013 21:56:00 GMTAccess to affordable natural gas will help ensure that U.S. steelmakers remain competitive in a global environment, with some domestic companies having already capitalized on its benefits, according to a number of industry executives.http://www.amm.com/Article/3202939/Natural-gas-fueling-US-steel-growth.htmlWed, 08 May 2013 19:28:00 GMTMarmon/Keystone LLC has opened a service center near Nashville, Tenn., to distribute aluminum and stainless pipe and tube, cold-drawn seamless, cold-rolled electric-weld, drawn-over-mandrel (DOM) and hot-rolled seamless steel tubing. http://www.amm.com/Article/3202932/MarmonKeystone-opens-Nashville-distribution-hub.htmlWed, 08 May 2013 19:04:00 GMTMexico’s vehicle output increased by 15.6 percent year on year in April to 238,766 units, according to national automotive association Amia.http://www.amm.com/Article/3202930/Mexicos-car-production-exports-rise-in-April.htmlWed, 08 May 2013 18:52:00 GMTSubaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. plans to invest between $400 million and $450 million to expand its Lafayette, Ind., campus, Indiana Economic Development Corp. and the company said in a joint statement. http://www.amm.com/Article/3202928/Subaru-of-Indiana-to-boost-auto-production.htmlWed, 08 May 2013 18:51:00 GMTAn improving outlook for commercial projects helped push a benchmark construction planning index up 5.2 percent month on month in April, the measure’s fourth consecutive monthly increase. http://www.amm.com/Article/3202915/Construction-index-logs-4th-consecutive-increase-in-April.htmlWed, 08 May 2013 18:17:00 GMTGerman forging, extrusion and ring rolling company Otto Fuchs KG is partnering with TPS Technitube Röhrenwerke GmbH (TPS) to enter the aluminum drill pipe market. http://www.amm.com/Article/3202797/Otto-Fuchs-eyes-aluminum-drill-pipe-market.htmlWed, 08 May 2013 16:12:00 GMTEmployment in primary metals and the fabricated metals sector took different paths in April, with producers logging a dip while fabricators registered a gain. http://www.amm.com/Article/3202766/Employment-in-metals-mixed-in-April.htmlWed, 08 May 2013 15:31:00 GMTSteel buyers faced softened demand, excess supply, short lead times and weak pricing in April, an industry survey shows.http://www.amm.com/Article/3202328/Steel-buyers-right-size-inventories-ISM-survey.htmlTue, 07 May 2013 22:18:00 GMTReading, Pa.-based Heyco Metals Inc. has promoted David Mandle to executive vice president and William Barry to vice president of sales and marketing.http://www.amm.com/Article/3202323/Heyco-Metals-promotes-Mandle-Barry.htmlTue, 07 May 2013 22:03:00 GMTAerospace contractor Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. has launched reviews of its major programs as it looks to resolve cost problems. http://www.amm.com/Article/3202059/Spirit-AeroSystems-reviewing-major-plane-programs.htmlTue, 07 May 2013 15:07:00 GMTSuperior Industries International Inc. plans an official groundbreaking for its new aluminum wheel plant in Chihuahua, Mexico, on May 15.http://www.amm.com/Article/3201990/Superior-to-break-ground-on-new-aluminum-wheel-plant.htmlTue, 07 May 2013 13:31:00 GMTRyan Secrist has been named president of Aurora, Colo.-based structural steel distributor Brown-Strauss Steel, succeeding Mike Calvert, who is retiring at the end of June. http://www.amm.com/Article/3202237/Secrist-to-replace-Calvert-as-president-of-Brown-Strauss.htmlTue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 GMTFord Motor Co. plans to hire more than 2,000 workers and add a third shift at its assembly plant in Kansas City, Mo., in order to support demand for its F-150 pickup and produce a new line of commercial vehicles. http://www.amm.com/Article/3201714/Ford-to-add-third-shift-at-Kansas-City-plant.htmlMon, 06 May 2013 21:23:00 GMTDrew Industries Inc. is increasingly selling aluminum extrusions to third parties as well as looking to offer aluminum alternatives to steel parts, an executive said.http://www.amm.com/Article/3201713/Drew-Industries-targets-third-party-buyers-eyes-steel-alternatives.htmlMon, 06 May 2013 21:13:00 GMTNissan North America Inc. says it is making rapid progress on the construction of its third manufacturing plant in Mexico.http://www.amm.com/Article/3201636/Nissan-to-open-3d-Mexican-plant-by-year-end.htmlMon, 06 May 2013 15:59:00 GMTExcess supply and low demand are the two main issues affecting the profitability of Mexican steel distributors, a key industry figure told AMM sister publication Steel First. http://www.amm.com/Article/3201615/Mexican-distributors-in-price-war-Conadiac.htmlMon, 06 May 2013 15:06:00 GMTThe shale oil and gas boom in the United States is helping to reduce electricity costs and give big power consumers, such as aluminum smelters, more clout in rate negotiations, according to Alcoa Inc. chairman and chief executive officer Klaus Kleinfeld.http://www.amm.com/Article/3201607/Shale-gas-driving-power-prices-down-Alcoa.htmlMon, 06 May 2013 13:47:00 GMTNorth America continues to be a growth market for General Motors Co., chairman and chief executive officer Daniel F. Akerson said during the automaker’s first-quarter earnings conference call. http://www.amm.com/Article/3201418/GM-prepares-to-add-shifts-as-it-ramps-up-truck-production.htmlMon, 06 May 2013 13:30:00 GMT