AK Steel increases aluminum coating extras

AK Steel has announced it will raise prices for its aluminum coated sheet products by 50 percent, citing the "extraordinary rise in the cost of aluminum" as the reason for the increase. The price hike will be effective for shipments of aluminized steel starting April 1, 2006. Middletown, Ohio-based AK Steel produces flat rolled, stainless, electrical, and tubing products for the automotive, appliance, construction, and manufacturing markets.