Association News

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in September, with the overall economy notching a 16th consecutive month of growth, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business. The PMI in September was 61.1 percent, an increase of 1.2 percentage points from the August reading.

U.S. steel mills shipped 8.4 million net tons of steel in August, a 28.7 percent increase compared to the same month in 2021, the American Iron and Steel Institute reported. Shipments were also up 1.5 percent from July.

President and CEO Tom Dobbins will depart the Aluminum Association at the end of October. He has been serving in those roles since February 2020.

The dramatic year over year increases in metals shipments in the first half of the year slowed across the board to more normal levels, the Metals Service Center reported in its latest Metals Activity Report. Canadian steel shipments actually declined slightly in August.

As the United States negotiates with the EU on revisiting Section 232 tariffs and the pursuit of decarbonization, two steel groups and the union representing steel workers are pushing for continued steps to ensure there is no surge of imports. The American Iron and Steel Institute, Steel Manufacturers Association and United Steelworkers have written President Joe Biden asking for measures to protect the domestic industry.

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in August, the 15th consecutive month of expansion, the Institute for Supply Management reported in its latest Report on Business. The PMI for August was 59.9 percent, an increase of 0.4 percentage points from the July reading.

Global steel production totaled 161.7 million metric tons in July, a 3.3 percent increase from the same month in 2020, the World Steel Association reported. For the year to date, global crude steel production of 1.17 billion tons was up 12.4 percent.

The U.S. imported 3 million net tons and 2.1 million finished tons of steel in July, the American Iron and Steel Institute reported. Net tons were up 2.8 percent compared with the prior month, while finished steel imports increased 0.5 percent.

The dramatic increase in metals shipments through the first six months slowed in July, the Metals Service Center Institute reported. And steel shipments in Canada actually declined compared with 2020.

The National Association of Manufacturers cautions the federal government against rolling back tax reforms in response to the budget resolution introduced by the Biden administration.