HARDI: Will Galv Supplies be Tight in 4Q?

Demand remains strong and prices for galvanized steel have begun to level off after rising for most of the year, which is positive news for the HVAC industry. However, a big decline in foreign imports could dramatically reduce the availability of coated steel later in the year. “In the fourth quarter, there could be quite a squeeze on supply,” warned Steel Market Update Publisher John Packard during the monthly conference call with members of the Heating, Air-conditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) on Monday.

The distributors of HVAC products reported limited offers for foreign galvanized in the market, most of them near the domestic price. “No one is really pulling the trigger on import because of the risk of the long lead time,” said one service center exec.