November’s base price increases by the major U.S. producers seem to have stuck, this according to American Metal Market (AMM). The metal-tracking firm’s analysts also believe stainless surcharges will increase in December for Type 201, 304 and 316 products with increases ranging from around 2% percent for 201 up to more than 6% percent for Type 316. Stainless surcharges slumped in November. December’s increases are due to rising nickel and manganese prices.

MEPS predicts global stainless steel production will hit an all-time high in 2017, topping by 3.8% the previous record set last year. The trend will continue upward in 2018 as analysts with MEPS foresee another 3%-plus gain.

Silicon metal prices in the U.S. continue to rise, up by some 7.0% in November, according to the latest assessment from AMM. Analysts attribute the surge to concerns of tight supply stemming from anti-dumping and countervailing investigations of foreign product from a number of countries, including Brazil, Australia, Norway and Kazakhstan.

The American Supply Association (ASA) and its Industrial Piping Division (IPD) is the national organization serving wholesaler-distributors and their suppliers in the industrial and mechanical pipe-valve-fitting industry.  As a powerful alliance of channel partners, we provide a forum for your upstream trading partners to exchange critical information and address key issues.

In particular, ASA’s IPD members constantly check the pulse of the materials and commodities they proudly supply to you.  ASA’s IPD members are knowledgeable industry leaders, and those who volunteer their service on the IPD Executive Council compile and prepare the IPD Commodity Reports.  The Reports contain some of the most current and qualified market data and information available from the industry’s leading manufacturers and distributors about emerging trends and other price-influencing actions and events.

This information is an example of how ASA’s IPD manufacturer and distributor members are constantly looking ahead to ensure you have information and resources you need to be successful.  Learn more at www.AdvanceYourAbility.com.