From The Editor

On Friday, members of the United Autoworkers did what seemed inevitable: announced a strike against the Big 3 automakers.

Next month marks my 18th anniversary with Metal Center News. No presents, I insist.

For many Americans, and perhaps even Canadians, the first Monday in September marks the unofficial close of summer. The last chance for beach visits, backyard barbecues and other warm-weather events.

For the 27th year, Metal Center News will honor a worthy leader with its Service Center Executive of the Year honor, the highest in the metals distribution space.

The customer is always right.” That is one of the oldest maxims in business.

Copper has gotten one step closer to its desired status, but it's not quite there yet.

A slowing economy has had little substantive impact on the job market for the manufacturing sector. That’s one conclusion to draw from a recent outlook survey conducted by the National Association of Manufacturers.

As a trade magazine with a singular focus, one featured prominently on each issue’s cover, Metal Center News has always tried to remain above the political fray. Other than advocating for those policies and laws that advance the cause for North American manufacturing and distribution, the passions of the day that dominate the discourse in other sources of media are not our bread and butter.

For the second year in a row, Metal Center News will partner with Metal Jobs Network to survey the service center industry about sales compensation.

Starting about 10 years ago, the major story in the automotive sector became the materials war between steel and aluminum over future supremacy in the space.