Steel Shipments Up 21.2% in March

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported on May 17 that for the month of March 2010, U.S. steel mills shipped 7,646,938 net tons, a 21.2% increase from the 6,311,076 net tons shipped in the previous month, February 2010, and a 82% increase from the 4,138,449 net tons shipped in March 2009.

A month-to-month comparison of shipments shows the following changes: cold rolled sheet, up 25%; hot rolled sheet, up 23%; and hot dipped galvanized sheet and strip, up 20%.

AISI, which is comprised of 23 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 138 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry, represents 75% of both U.S. and North American steel capacity.