Commodity metal costs remain high. Copper continues to average well above $3 per pound, while steel reached an all-time record high in December.  Zinc is up 16.3% for the year. 

It is anticipated that elevated metal costs, together with other increases to manufacturing costs, will result in a round of vale price increases commencing in January.

The market outlook remains steady. For October, construction spending on residential activity was up 0.4% in comparison to September and was up 7.2% year-over-year. Commercial (building) construction was up 3.8% over September and up 6.7% year-over-year.

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.