There has been little or no change since last month’s report. Grooved products experienced a 6.0-7.0 percent increase this summer due principally to significant increases in scrap costs. Demand for grooved product remains quite strong due, in large part, to the surge in commercial building in the major urban markets.
Nationally, the healthcare sector continues to be very strong with hospital construction leading the way. College campus construction also continues to drive significant demand for grooved product across the country, while K-12 school building has continued to see some very strong regional activity. The oil & gas sector has strengthened considerably from 2016 due to the sizeable increase in rig activity this year, although the increases have leveled out in recent weeks. Data center building has also remained strong and is showing no indication of slowing down.