The Architecture Billings Index rose for the third month in a row reaching 52.5 in December, according to the latest report by the American Institute of Architects. A reading above 50 indicates an increase in design services by architecture firms. Indices for new project inquiries and design contracts were positive, at 58.7 and 53.4, respectively. […]
Housing starts jumped 16.9 percent from November to December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,608,000. Compared to a year ago starts soared 40.8 percent. Single-family starts increased 11.2 percent, while construction with five units or more leapt 32 percent. Starts were strongest in the Midwest and Northeast, increasing 37.3 percent and 25.5 percent […]
The International Chamber of Commerce’s new 2020 Incoterms took effect on Jan. 1. Incoterms stands for “international commercial terms,” the essential terms buyers and sellers use when making transactions around the world. Common acronyms like FOB (Free on Board) or DAP (Delivered at Place) are standardized terminology that helps to facilitate the import and export […]
Olympic Steel has promoted Francis M. (Frank) Ruane to the role of Executive Vice President – Supply Chain. “Frank’s expertise in supply chain, distribution, inventory management and routes to market have played an important role in Olympic Steel’s commercial planning and business strategy,” said President and COO Andrew Greiff. “His careful assessment of the current […]
The Senate voted its approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in a sweeping 89-10 bipartisan vote on Thursday. The trade agreement now goes to President Trump for signature. The Canadian parliament is expected to follow suit, allowing the USMCA to be implemented later this year. The final agreement adds language addressing the internet, digital services and […]
The wind energy industry received a boost from a U.S. spending bill approved in December. The bill extends energy tax credits for wind, solar and other green energy projects to 2024. Due to the extension, IHS Markit is now expecting a boom rather than a decline for the industry in 2020. The extension increased the […]
Manufacturing in New York State expanded modestly in January. The Empire State Manufacturing Survey’s general business conditions index gained 1.5 points to post 4.8 for the month. Shipments posted 8.6, down one point from December, but new orders gained 4.9 points to post 8.6. Unfilled orders continued to decline, delivery times were shorter, and inventories […]
Cleveland-Cliffs has begun exchanging senior notes issued by AK Steel for notes issued by Cliffs in preparation for the acquisition of the Ohio-based steel company. “For each $1,000 principal amount of Existing AK Steel Notes validly tendered on Feb. 12, 2020 (the ‘Expiration Date’) and not validly withdrawn, Eligible Holders of Existing AK Steel Notes […]
American business is facing a year of opportunity and uncertainty, says U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas Donohue. In an address on the State of American Business, Donahue points to a “patchwork” of state rules and regulations that will stifle the free flow of goods and services if left unchecked. Data privacy is one example […]
The Alliance for American Manufacturing is more than a little skeptical that the China Phase One trade agreement will have value for American workers, calling it “completely inadequate” in a letter to President Trump. “The agreement does not level the playing field for American workers in the U.S. or global market,” wrote AAM President Scott […]
With a new trade deal in the works, the U.S. has declared that China is no longer a currency manipulator after labeling it one last summer. In August 2019, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, “under the auspices of President Trump,” determined that China was devaluating its currency to “gain an unfair competitive advantage in international trade.” […]
Contractors are confident there will be plenty of construction projects in 2020 but are struggling to find qualified workers to hire. Construction employment increased by 20,000 jobs in December and by 151,000, or 2.0 percent, in all of 2019, says an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. “More than […]
Following the recent attacks in Iran, President Trump has imposed new sanctions on Iran including targeting 13 Iranian steel and mining companies. Additionally, sanctions will be imposed on three Seychelles-based entities, aluminum and copper companies and the Liberian-flagged and Chinese-owned vessel Hong Xun, known to transport metal products. “We are also designating Iran’s largest metals […]
Allegheny Technologies’ Midland plant may be on the chopping block if the Trump administration doesn’t approve an exclusion from Section 232 tariffs. ATI CEO Robert Wetherbee, in an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, demonstrated how difficult it can be to support Trump trade policies and one’s own business interests. Wetherbee believes the tariffs were […]
A leading indicator of nonresidential construction spending rose in December, but yearly data suggests construction spending may see a slowdown in 2020. The Dodge Momentum Index, a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning, gained 1.5 percent last month for a reading of 156.2. Planning for institutional projects rose 2.3 […]
Flack Global Metals has hired metals industry veteran Ben Markham as chief commercial officer. Markham brings 30 years of senior management experience to FGM and will play a key role in the leadership, design and execution of the company’s commercial development activities and corporate branding. Markham, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, has extensive […]
Worthington Industries has acquired majority ownership of Samuel Steel Pickling Co., which it has held in a joint venture with Samuel, Son & Co. since 2010. Worthington will hold a 63 percent share of the venture and Samuel 37 percent. Worthington’s recently acquired Heidtman Cleveland facility and Samuel Steel Pickling will be combined, forming Worthington […]
Commercial Metals Company is looking forward to a steady construction market in 2020 for its merchant bar and rebar products. “We are positioned to continue benefiting from the positive trends in our core markets and remain optimistic about the construction market, as many of the macro indicators we monitor point to resilience ahead,” said President […]
A recent study by the Federal Reserve concludes that the Trump administration tariffs are doing more harm than good to the U.S. economy and manufacturing. Federal economists Aaron Flaaen and Justin Pierce examined the impact the “unprecedented” number of tariffs imposed under the Trump administration have had on the U.S. manufacturing sector. Escalation of tariff […]
A.M. Castle & Co., a global distributor of specialty metal and supply chain services, announced that President Marec Edgar has been named chief executive officer following the retirement of Steve Scheinkman as chairman and CEO. Scheinkman will remain on Castle’s board of directors serving as a senior advisor. Mike Sheehan, currently a director, will assume […]
The Congressional Budget Office expects the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to result in higher than expected tariff revenue for the United States on motor vehicles and parts due to stricter rules of origin and labor value content requirements. Included in the revenue calculation is an estimated $3 billion in tariffs to be paid by automakers over the […]
Edmunds analysts estimate auto sales will top 4.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, pushing the total for the year to 17.1 million and the fifth year in a row above the 17 million mark. “The fact that new car sales have stayed this strong for this long really defies the odds, especially given […]
The December Manufacturing ISM Report on Business showed economic activity contracting in the U.S. last month. The PMI fell 0.9 points to 47.2 percent and its lowest reading since July 2009. A PMI below 50 indicates business is contracting and a reading above 50 indicates expansion. The December PMI marks the fifth consecutive month of contraction. […]
Construction spending improved in November, boosting optimism among contractors regarding new projects for 2020. Construction spending rose 4.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.324 trillion from November 2018 to November 2019, while industry employment grew in 63 percent or 226 out of 358 metro areas, according to a new analysis of federal […]
Tenaris S.A. has completed its acquisition of IPSCO Tubulars from Russian steel manufacturer PAO TMK. The $1.1 billion transaction includes a six-year distribution agreement that, as of Jan. 2, makes Tenaris the exclusive distributor of TMK’s OCTG and line pipe products in the U.S. and Canada. Tenaris’ facilities are primarily located in the South and […]
The Chicago Business Barometer remained in contraction with a reading below 50 in December, but rose 2.6 points to 48.9. An increase in production and supplier deliveries helped boost the PMI for the month, said MNI Indicators. The production PMI rose 4.9 points to 47.2 The index for supplier deliveries gained 5.1 points to register […]
About half of the nations surveyed by J.P Morgan and IHS Markit ended the year with manufacturing PMIs in contraction, with conditions especially poor in the Eurozone. The J.P. Morgan Global Manufacturing PMI fell to 50.1 last month from 50.3 in November indicating business conditions remained weak at the end of 2019. The intermediate and […]
S&P Dow Jones reported that the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index gained 3.3 percent in October, compared to 3.2 percent in the previous month. The 20-City composite posted a 2.2 percent year-over-year gain, while the 10-City composite rose 2.2 percent. “October’s U.S. housing data continue to be reassuring,” says Craig J. […]
William (Bill) Zielinski, chief operating officer for Chicago Tube and Iron, will succeed Dr. Donald McNeeley as president of CTI. As president, Zielinski will lead the business strategy and day-to-day operations of CTI in addition to his current duties as COO. McNeeley will continue with the company as chairman of CTI. The planned succession was […]
An explosion caused by a water and molten iron reaction at ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor on Dec. 27 resulted in fire and damage to the #4 furnace. A spokesperson for ArcelorMittal said the company is assessing the damage to determine a timeline for repairs and the duration of the outage at IH 4 SP. ArcelorMittal will […]