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Aluminum makers and distributors agree on one thing: business is booming. Strong markets, higher prices and positive trade actions have propelled the market through the first half of 2018, and many in the industry feel the good times are here to stay.

The real strength of an organization is three to four levels from the top. Junior leaders in any organization make an organization great or lead to its eventual downfall.

In every way, this year’s show set records. Registrations totaled 129,415 individuals, 6.2 percent better than the record number of attendees set in 1998. Exhibitor companies grew 6.4 percent to 2,563 over last year, using a record 1.42 million square feet of floor space.

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., Los Angeles, has acquired the remaining 40 percent ownership in Acero Prime, S. de R.L. de C.V. Acero Prime, a toll processor based in Mexico, has been a joint venture with U.S. Steel.

Austin, Texas-based United Steel Supply has installed a high-performance Braner/Loopco Triple Turret Head slitting line at its Jackson, Miss., coil processing and distribution facility.

Price and shipment increases helped AK Steel record its best third quarter in a decade, reported the West Chester, Ohio-based steelmaker.

Strong end markets drove a profitable third quarter at Allegheny Technologies Inc., reported the Pittsburgh-based specialty steelmaker.

The American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, reported that the U.S. imported 2.2 million tons of steel, including 1.9 million tons of finished steel, in September, according to Census Bureau data.

Steel Dynamics Inc. reported net income of $398 million, compared with net income of $153 million in the prior-year quarter.

Kaiser Aluminum credited aerospace demand and price increases for driving profits in the third quarter.