PVF distributors often focus attention on rising product cost and shipping costs, but overlook operational costs, assuming they are fixed.

The National Association of Steel Pipe Distributors has initiated an online pipe inventory listing Web site.

Crane Co. announced that Tony Favilla has joined the company.

IPSCO has named Mike Stefko sales manager of industrial products.

NS Group has announced the opening of a Houston sales office and promotion of Rober Okrzesik.

NS Group's Northwest Pipe subsidiary also announced the hiring of Robert Moore.

Preliminary government figures covering steel imports for the month of May 2002 showed that steel imports decreased 10.9% from April 2002 levels, due mainly to reductions in wire and plate products.

Manufacturing activity grew for the fifth consecutive month in June and the overall economy for the eighth month in a row.

The U.S. International Trade Commission determined on June 20 that no U.S. industry has been injured by imports of circular welded non-alloy steel pipe from China.

Frost & Sullivan released a study that projects a boom in desalination plants in Asia.