MSCI Tracks ‘08 Service Metal Shipments

In its annual survey of the major end-use markets for North American steel and aluminum shipments, the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) has identified fabricated metal products as the leading use of both steel and aluminum on the continent in 2008. Beyond that, however, the rankings of end-use markets (defined in the survey according to North American Industry Classification System, or NAICS, codes) differ markedly between the two metals.

During 2008, metals service centers shipped 53.47 million tons of steel and 1.85 million tons of aluminum. Fabricated metal products manufacturers represent 23.46 percent of total steel shipments and 29.64 percent of aluminum shipments.

According to metal service center operators who responded to the survey, the following round out the top five product rankings for steel, in addition to fabricated metal products: “other” industrial segments; car and light truck manufacturing; “other” machinery manufacturing; and farm, construction and mining machinery manufacturing. The top five product rankings for aluminum, along with fabricated metal products, included: motor vehicle manufacturing; aircraft and aerospace; unknown; and “other” machinery manufacturing.

For more information from the Metals Service Center Institute, visit msci.org.