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In this month’s flat-roll market feature by Associate Editor Jonathan Samples (Page 14), Esmark CEO Jim Bouchard described the business conditions in 2017 as “steady but sloppy.” That also happens to be a pretty accurate description of the year as a whole for the metals industry.

Braner/Loopco, Schiller Park, Ill., offers advanced control technologies on its slitting lines that allow users to process a wide range of coil gauges, mechanical properties and surface finishes. The lines generate exceptional quality slit coil more efficiently and more safely than is possible with older equipment, the company claims.

Lapham-Hickey Steel Corp., Bedford Park, Ill., announced that Brian Hickey will be promoted to president of the company effective Jan. 1. Lapham-Hickey is North America’s 35th-largest service center company with 2016 revenues of $280 million.

Lake Worth, Fla.-based Eastern Metal Supply Inc. has acquired the Endeck capped cellular PVC product line of deck, dock and fascia boards from Enduris Inc. EMS, a service center and manufacturing company, is North America’s 34th-largest distribution company.

Production is expected to begin next year at Liberty Steel in Georgetown, S.C. The rod and wire mill was acquired by European company Liberty House Group from ArcelorMittal in April.

Hydro Extruded Solutions AS has reached an agreement with Pittsburgh-based metals manufacturer Arconic to acquire its two extrusion plants in Brazil.

Aluminum demand in the U.S. and Canada totaled 26.4 billion pounds in 2016, according to the latest edition of the Aluminum Association Aluminum Statistical Review.

Shipments of U.S. steel and aluminum products showed year-over-year gains in November, but Canadian shipments slowed significantly for the month, according to the latest Metals Activity Report from Rolling Meadows, Ill.-based Metals Service Center Institute.

U.S. steel mills shipped 7.7 million net tons of steel in October, reports the American Iron and Steel Institute. October steel shipments were up 12.8 percent from the same month last year and 2 percent from September.

U.S. imports and exports of brass mill products showed year-over-year increases in October, reports the Copper and Brass Fabricators Council, Washington. Imports totaled 41.2 million pounds during the month, a 7 percent increase from the same month last year. Exports were relatively flat at 22.4 million pounds, up just 0.2 percent from last year.