Final Thoughts
August 5, 2019
Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
I got a note from one of our readers today about the removal of the U.S. Steel blast furnace(s) and why the capacity utilization rates don’t reflect the change. The answer to that question is that as long as the furnace is still capable of producing (i.e. hot idle vs. being totally shut down cold) then it is still considered to be part of the total production capabilities for the industry.
This morning, HVAC wholesalers on the HARDI galvanized steel conference call confided in Steel Market Update that the time to build up inventories has passed. Purchases were made from just prior to and immediately after the first two price increase announcements. Since then there is a more “wait and see” attitude developing.
