Current News

World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the Brussels-based World Steel Association was 150.2 million metric tons in February, a 4.1 percent increase compared with the same month in 2020.

Calstrip Industries has implemented STRATIX at its new location in Blytheville, Ark. STRATIX is the metal service center ERP software from Invera.

Mill Steel, Grand Rapids, Mich., has expanded its reach into prepainted and coated products with the acquisition of Prassas Metal Products, a Los Angeles-based steel trading and stocking distributor. The acquisition strengthens Mill Steel’s geographic footprint, with additional sourcing opportunities and greater reach.

FABTECH Mexico has again fallen victim to the coronavirus, with the 2021 event now canceled. FABTECH is the leading trade show for the North American metals processing community, presented jointly by the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, SME, Precision Metalforming Association, American Welding Society and Chemical Coaters Association International.

Global stainless steel meltshop production in 2020 decreased 2.5 percent to 50.9 million metric tons, the International Stainless Steel forum reported. Global production was up 13.7 percent in the fourth quarter to 14.1 million tons.

Steel and aluminum shipments declined on a year-over-year basis across the board in the U.S. and Canada in February, the Rolling Meadows, Ill.-based Metals Service Center Institute reported. However, the declines were at lower rates than in January.

Totten Tubes, Azusa, Calif., has made several personnel changes through the organization. Totten Tubes is a leading West Coast pipe and tube distributor.

Nucor Corp., Charlotte, N.C., will build a 250,000-ton tube mill in the Midwest, the largest consuming region for steel and steel products. Products from the new tube mill will capitalize on investments Nucor has already made in the Midwest including a plate mill, galvanizing line and hot-roll expansion, the company claims.

Luvata will launch a $37 million expansion to its existing mill in the Kimberly Industrial Complex in Kimberly, Wis. The expansion will add 70,000 square feet to the facility.

America’s infrastructure is graded C- by the American Society of Civil Engineers in its quadrennial report card. Though still subpar, this is the first time since the group began issuing report cards the country’s grade has exceeded a grade in the D category.