September shipments in US up 6.6 percent from '05

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported Wednesday that during the month of September 2006, steel mills in the United States shipped 9,199,000 net tons - a 6.6 percent increase from September 2005, and a 4.1 percent decrease from August 2006. Year-on-year, the following changes took place: steel shipments from service centers and distributors were up 4.9 percent in September 2006; automotive was up 12.2 percent; construction and contractors' products were up 12.5 percent; oil and gas increased 10.5 percent; machinery, industrial equipment and tools were up 7.5 percent; appliances, utensils and cutlery were down 4.2 percent; containers, packaging and shipping materials increased 3.3 percent; and electrical equipment was up 20.8 percent. AISI is comprised of 32 North American member companies, as well as 125 associate and affiliate members, including producers, suppliers and customers of the steel industry. AISI's members represent over 75 percent of the US and North American steel capacity.