Late Thursday, Atlas Tube sent a letter to customers indicating that that it was raising prices by $2.00 cwt. ($44/mt or $40/nt) on all HSS products effective 5:00 CST, October 25. The increase will apply to all HSS shapes up through 12 sq and all HSS rounds up through 20" OD on shipments after November 26, 2012.
Independence Tube released a similar letter on Thursday evening for all 2"sq-12sq" (and corresponding rectangles) and all ITC 50 pipe size and HSS rounds up through 16.00" OD, also indicating a November 26 price protection date.
By Friday morning, Welded Tube of Canada and Maruichi Leavitt had followed suit. Welded Tube said it was raising the price for all HSS and mechanical tube products by a minimum of $2.00 cwt. effective with all orders received after 8:30 am Friday, October 26. Maruichi Leavitt said it was raising prices by $2.00 cwt. on all products and size ranges.
The increases in the HSS market are the expected response to a $2.00 cwt. immediate price increase from domestic flat rolled mills on October 16-18, depending on the mil.