Final Thoughts

We have been asked about the possible restart of the blast furnace at AK Steel or the furnaces at Granite City as steel prices rise and lead times remain extended. We spoke with a couple of analysts over the weekend who told us they did not see the AK Steel furnace running at any point in time this year. We will learn more about both AK and US Steel in the coming weeks as both mills report earnings and host their conference calls with analysts.

Congratulations to Andy Gross, CEO of Alliance Steel who is now the new president of the Association of Steel Distributors (ASD) as the gavel was passed from Brian Robbins (President of MidWest Materials) who ended his two year term over the weekend. SMU also wants to congratulate Lisa Goldenberg, President of Delaware Steel and the recipient of the ASD “Steel Man of the Year” Award in a ceremony at the ASD spring meeting on Saturday.