Final Thoughts

The Mario Briccetti article entitled: “Steel Buyers Basics: Kobe Steel Problems and How to Avoid Them” prompted a number of comments. The comments all came from other Steel 101 instructors who spent their careers working for steel mills either in sales or in quality/metallurgical positions. We should have an interesting discussion between our instructors at the next Steel 101 workshop, which will be held in Mobile, Ala., in late January, 2018.

Steve Painter called me and wrote me a note regarding his feelings/opinion about the contention made in the article that steel buyers can’t trust their suppliers. “I am a steel veteran salesperson with now over 50 years in our industry…all with domestic steel mills. I take exception that buyers can’t trust their suppliers! That is what business relationships are all about. Without trust in your relationship, you have nothing. Your supplier is your best friend if you are a steel buyer.”