SMU Survey Results: Demand is a Big Question Mark

Last week Steel Market Update conducted our mid-November flat rolled steel market analysis. We invited slightly less than 600 individuals representing more than 550 companies to participate. Of those responding 44 percent were connected to manufacturing companies, 41 percent with service centers/wholesalers, 7 percent with trading companies, 4 percent with steel mills, 3 percent with toll processors and 1 percent were listed as suppliers to the industry (such as a paint or chemical company).

SMU has been conducting our market analysis going back to late 2008. Over the years we have tweaked a number of our questions but there have been some key areas that existed since the beginning. We want to know how those actively involved in the flat rolled industry (mostly in purchasing or sales related positions) feel about their company’s ability to be successful (Sentiment Index), we want to know about lead times, steel mill negotiations, foreign steel purchases, changes to buying patterns and inventory management as well as pricing.