Walk down just about any major city in the United States and, eventually, you’ll walk past a city-installed garbage can. Maybe you’ll see a classic black trash receptacle, with the black vertical paneling and open top. Or, maybe, you might see a trash receptacle with a top-side lid that opens and closes (like you might […]
Category: Sourcing Strategies
With contracting season ahead, MetalMiner Annual Forecasting Workshop to offer look at buying strategies
The past year since the last MetalMiner Forecasting Workshop has been a turbulent one for metals markets. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, plummeting demand, plant idlings, fast-recovering demand in certain sectors, bullwhip effects, material shortages, rising prices, rising delivery premiums — on and on and on. For metals buyers, planning out metals spend — […]
This Morning in Metals: Biden administration releases 100-day supply chain review
This morning in metals news: the Biden administration today released a 250-page report detailing the findings of its 100-day supply chain review; meanwhile, the US steel capacity utilization rate ticked up to 82.3%; and, lastly, the U.S. goods and services deficit fell in April compared with the previous month. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar […]
Week in Review: Copper overheating?; cobalt pilot project; MetalMiner webinars
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and the metals storylines here on MetalMiner, including copper price developments, an upcoming MetalMiner webinar and more: The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to help buyers stay on top of metals markets and […]
This Morning in Metals: Copper production from top 10 companies to rise up to 3.8% in 2021, GlobalData forecasts
This morning in metals news: consultancy GlobalData forecast copper production from the top 10 copper mining companies will rise by up to 3.8% this year; meanwhile, the US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs advanced a bill that aims to strengthen Buy American requirements; and, lastly, US import prices rose in April. The […]
A year later: Chatting with Josh Gilbert of Temperance Beer Co. on the aluminum can shortage, COVID-19 impacts
A little over a year has come and gone since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in the US. In addition to the immense human toll, the pandemic has changed the way many people live their lives. Work situations have changed, as many have switched out commutes to the office for a morning commute to their […]
Supply chains at risk as the world moves toward electrification
A recent Telegraph article suggests the West is sleepwalking into missing the next industrial revolution as China voraciously buys up raw material assets around the world. Those assets include securing its future supplies of cobalt, copper, lithium and other metals. The aforementioned comes in addition to its current domination of rare earth metals. The MetalMiner […]
Ever Given freed in Suez Canal, but ripple effect on trade will linger
As the days went by and the disruption from the blockage of the Suez Canal by the container vessel Ever Given increased, the implications became more and more severe. We’re offering timely emails with exclusive analyst commentary and some best practice advice. Sign up here. Not all of those 360 vessels backed up waiting for […]
US steel imports drop 22% in February
US steel imports in February — and through the first two months of the year — are down compared with 2020, the Census Bureau reported. Do you know the five best practices of sourcing metals, including steel? US steel imports in February down 22% from previous month US steel imports reached 1.71 million metric tons […]
Week in Review: Semiconductor shortage; MetalMiner webinar; rising Midwest Premium
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and the metals storylines here on MetalMiner, including coverage of the semiconductor shortage, the Midwest Premium and more. A fire at a Japanese chip-making plant last week has slammed automotive operations. General Motors, Ford and many other automakers have […]