The Economy

May Shows Slow Growth in Metal Shipments

June 18, 2014

The Metals Service Center Institute reports that U.S. shipment rates increased at half the rate of growth in April. It noted that Canadian centers’ year-on-year decline was the second monthly fall-off, “but at slower rates than in April.”

Robert Brooks

Shipments of steel and aluminum from U.S. metals service centers declined from April to May, while shipments of both metals from their Canadian counterparts increased. At the same time, the year-on-year results showed the opposite trends: U.S. centers' delivery totals improved and Canadian centers' declined in the 12-month comparison, according to a report from American Machinist, a companion site of IndustryWeek, and part of Penton’s Manufacturing and Supply Chain Group.

About the Author

Robert Brooks | Content Director

Robert Brooks has been a business-to-business reporter, writer, editor, and columnist for more than 20 years, specializing in the primary metal and basic manufacturing industries. His work has covered a wide range of topics, including process technology, resource development, material selection, product design, workforce development, and industrial market strategies, among others. Currently, he specializes in subjects related to metal component and product design, development, and manufacturing — including castings, forgings, machined parts, and fabrications.

Brooks is a graduate of Kenyon College (B.A. English, Political Science) and Emory University (M.A. English.)