Ferrous Department

STEEL SHIPMENTS UP IN EARLY ‘98

For the first two months of 1998, shipments from U.S. mills were up 7.1% from the same period in 1997, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), Washington.

U.S. mills shipped just less than 17.9 million net tons during this period, with February shipments at just under 8.8 million net tons.

A year-to-year comparison of the first two months’ shipments shows the following changes within major market classifications:

•service centers and distributors, up 8.4%

•automotive, down 2.8%

•construction and contractors’ products, up 13.1%

•oil and gas, up 6.3%

•machinery, industrial equipment and tools, up 1.7%

•appliances, utensils and cutlery, up 5.7%

•containers, packaging and shipping materials, down 2.1%.