The metals market now has two trade groups focusing on the distribution of copper and brass. The Metals Service Center Institute, Rolling Meadows, Ill., has added a Copper and Brass Specialty division. The Copper and Brass Servicenter Association, Overland Park, Kan., continues to serve the same constituency.

“This is the natural evolution of our organization,” says MSCI President and CEO M. Robert Weidner III. “We strive to serve the networking, educational, advocacy and research needs of our members. Creating the Copper and Brass Division is the next step in our progressive expansion to serve the metals industry.”

MSCI already offers divisions for tubular, carbon steel, specialty metals and aluminum products. Aluminum was added in 2002 with the merger of the former National Association of Aluminum Distributors. MSCI has reached out to CBSA in the past to propose a similar merger, but the red metals group has opted to remain independent.

CBSA’s mission is unchanged by MSCI’s announcement, says Dan Kendall of ABC Metals Inc., Logansport, Ind., and current CBSA president. “CBSA has engaged in the promotion and distribution of copper and copper alloys for more than 60 years. Our globally recognized membership and working relationships with the Copper and Brass Fabricators Council and the Copper Development Association mean CBSA continues to be uniquely recognized as the premier voice in the distribution of copper.”