The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported Wednesday that for the month of February 2009, US steel mills shipped 4,320,000 net tons, which is a 52.4 percent decrease from the amount of tons shipped in February 2008 and a 5.7 percent decrease from the amount shipped in the previous month, January 2008.
A year-to-year comparison of year-to-date shipments shows the following changes within major market classifications: service centers and distributors, down 54.9 percent; automotive, down 57.7 percent; construction and contractors' products, down 58.0 percent; and oil and gas, down 39.7 percent.
AISI is comprised of 24 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 138 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. AISI's member companies represent approximately 75 percent of both US and North American steel capacity.