Final Thoughts

 The American Institute for International Steel (AIIS) put out there monthly newsletter to their members today (Thursday) and they had an excellent article on the Conflict Minerals Act which has a potential to impact steel mills, trading companies, service centers and manufacturing companies (publically traded). They recommended reading what Metal Miner (www.agmetalminer.com) had on their website on the subject.  

Our articles regarding service center support – or lack of support – of price increases has prompted a slew of emails and phone calls (including the letter to the editor above).  I have received comments from service centers and manufacturing companies.  One manufacturing company sent the following email which I found to be interesting – and maybe of interest to the service centers out there: “Wow, two kudos in a week! Excellent thoughts & information in the previous publication on the pricing cycle and the follow up article yesterday…I’m starting to understand more about the various techniques for pricing / inventory value for service centers…something that has been on my mind these last couple years!”