What's New at Berlin

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August, 2000

In the last few months, the flat rolled sheet side of the steel market seems to have cooled down a bit with mill lead times decreasing and spot market prices softening. The analysts I've read seem to agree that the combination of the overseas mills winning the cold rolled anti dumping case, steel service centers' inventory "de-stocking", newer rolling capacity on line here in the US and a slight slowdown in steel consumption (higher interest rates seem to be having their intended effect) are all contributing to lighter mill order books and softer prices. The Tin Mill Product market doesn't seem to have changed much though, as the combination of the Japanese halting Tin Plate shipments until the anti dumping case is resolved (due by August 4th), LTV's loss of a tin line due to a fire earlier in the year (unlikely to be re-built), and a decision by many producing mills worldwide to simply produce less Tin Plate, have kept this market tight and lead times relatively long. Some analysts are predicting further tightening in the global market for all steel in general later this year and into next as Europe and Asia begin to show stronger economic growth.

Berlin Metals continues to grow as the addition of several new, experienced and hard working sales people have helped expose many new customers, both in Tin Mill Products and in Stainless Steel Strip, to the benefits of a supply program with us. Our available Stainless Steel Strip inventory is increasing and with it, the opportunities for more spot orders, as we add more and more customers ordering different specifications. We look forward to this product diversification as an excellent opportunity to assist new and existing customers with their material requirements.

We're making great headway towards our QS 9000 certification at both our locations. Our new quality manager is doing an excellent job marshalling the necessary resources. We expect to have our certification by the end of the year. Though it's hard work, we recognize that the attention we pay to this ongoing process will have huge benefits in how we can operate our business more efficiently, consistently and successfully.

We recently had a fun outing at Wrigley Field where we had most of our Chicago area employees and their guests. We were wise enough to have picked the game between the Cubs and the White Sox so that everyone had someone to root for. Though the Cubs have had a poor season this year so far (there's always next year !), they did manage to beat the Sox in an exciting 9-6 duel with plenty of homers.

On a personal side, I just came back from a short 2 day/2 night trip rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. It was more beautiful than I imagined it could be. The incredible heights and vastness of the canyons and the age of the rock formations, 2 billion years old in some cases, were more than amazing. Words can't describe it. I recommend this trip for anyone who likes sleeping under the stars to the sound of coyotes and rushing water.

Well, that's all for now. Enjoy the Summer.

Best Regards,

Roy Berlin, President
Rberlin@berlinmetals.com

Other Newsletters:
July, 2006    July, 2005    March, 2004
September, 2003  January, 2003 April, 2002
September, 2001 May, 2001 January, 2001
April, 2000

"Here are some of our products and services: tin plate, black plate, tinplate, blackplate, stainless steel strip, tin free steel, TFS, cold rolled steel, cold rolled strip, slit coil, steel service center, galvanized steel, Electrogalvanized, tin mill products."