NEWS RELEASES - 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: |
Meg Mullery |
202.342.8439 |
SPECIALTY STEEL IMPORT PENETRATION REMAINS HIGH DESPITE DECLINE IN U.S. CONSUMPTION
(Washington, DC) (December 5, 2001) - Specialty steel imports captured more than a quarter of the U.S. market in the January/August 2001 period, according to the latest available data released today by the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA).
While imports of all specialty steel decreased 28% in the first eight months of this year compared to the same 2000 period, U.S. demand also experienced a significant 20% decline. As a result, import penetration dropped only 3 percentage points with imports taking a 26% bite out of the overall U.S. market for specialty steel. For individual specialty steel product lines, import penetration went as high as 95%.
The data on stainless steel, the industry's largest product line, track the numbers on total specialty steel. Stainless steel imports were down 34% in the stated period, and U.S. consumption decreased 22%. Eight month import penetration was 24%.
According to H. L. Kephart, Chairman of the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA), "Imports continue to take a big share of the U.S. market, even as consumption has declined. Total specialty steel import penetration was 26% in1999 and 27% in 2000, which saw a 4% increase in consumption over the previous year. For YTD August 2001, import penetration is still high at 26%, even with a substantial 20% decrease in U.S. consumption over the same period last year."
Tool steel import penetration increased 28 percentage points from 67% in YTD August 2000 to 95% in YTD August 2001. Stainless rod import penetration was 78%; stainless bar and wire, 48%; electrical steel, 23%; stainless plate, 18%; and stainless sheet/strip, 17%.
SSINA
is a Washington, DC-based trade association
representing virtually all continental
specialty steel producers. Specialty steels
are high technology, high value stainless
and other
specialty alloy products. While shipments of specialty steel account for only
2% of all steel shipped in North America, annual revenues of approximately
$8 billion account for 14% of the total value of all steel shipped.
David A. Hartquist, an international trade attorney with the Washington, DC law firm of Collier Shannon Scott, PLLC, serves as lead counsel to SSINA.
Note to Editors: See table for more information on U.S. imports, consumption
and market penetration data.
U.S.
Imports, Consumption and Market Penetration
Data*
For Specialty Steel Product Lines
2001/2000/1999
|
|
|
Eight
Month |
|||||
|
Month |
YTD |
Increase/ |
Month |
YTD |
Increase/ |
YTD |
YTD |
Stainless Sheet/Strip |
21,359 |
177,407 |
-41% |
134,549 |
1,025,628 |
-23% |
17% |
23% |
Stainless Plate |
3,070 |
27,887 |
-47% |
18,830 |
154,899 |
-16% |
18% |
28% |
Stainless Bar |
6,058 |
77,792 |
-15% |
14,962 |
163,288 |
-13% |
48% |
48% |
Stainless Rod |
4,923 |
41,706 |
-30% |
5,967 |
53,208 |
-33% |
78% |
75% |
Stainless Wire** |
2,176 |
21,337 |
-1% |
4,146 |
44,839 |
-24% |
48% |
36% |
Total
Stainless Steel*** |
37,586 |
346,129 |
-34% |
178,454 |
1,441,863 |
-22% |
24% |
28% |
Tool Steel |
4,892 |
51,302 |
0.4% |
5,672 |
54,206 |
-29% |
95% |
67% |
Electrical Steel |
8,611 |
77,928 |
-6% |
38,435 |
334,269 |
-13% |
23% |
22% |
Total Specialty |
51,089 |
475,358 |
-28% |
222,560 |
1,830,338 |
-20% |
26% |
29% |
2000 and 1999 statistical data in tons follow:
|
|
|
Twelve
Month |
|||
|
|
Percent |
|
Percent |
|
|
Stainless Sheet/Strip |
388,263 |
-5% |
1,896,324 |
-0.03% |
20% |
21% |
Stainless Plate |
65,622 |
9% |
253,559 |
1% |
26% |
24% |
Stainless Bar |
125,725 |
44% |
267,115 |
22% |
47% |
40% |
Stainless Rod |
82,056 |
25% |
108,910 |
15% |
75% |
69% |
Stainless Wire** |
31,059 |
26% |
83,032 |
-2% |
37% |
29% |
Total
Stainless Steel*** |
692,726 |
7% |
2,608,940 |
2% |
27% |
25% |
Tool Steel |
78,629 |
6% |
114,227 |
1% |
69% |
65% |
Electrical Steel |
122,654 |
7% |
565,608 |
10% |
22% |
22% |
Total Specialty |
894,009 |
7% |
3,288,775 |
4% |
27% |
26% |
NOTE: |
Changes in import penetration are percentage point changes. |
* |
Imports adjusted to exclude hot bands imported for re-rolling and reported under shipments. |
** |
Shipments for 2001 estimated and subject to revision when actual data is received. |
*** |
Shipment and consumption data for these categories may be overstated due to the inclusion of shipments from wire redrawers which are aready included in shipments/imports of rod; consequently import penetration may be slightly understated. |
Prepared by Georgetown Economic Services for the Specialty Steel Industry of North America
