No Longer a Home Run Game

For small to midsize players, the service center business today is about consistently hitting singles and doubles rather than the long ball, agree members of the Association of Steel Distributors. Despite the steel industry's many changes and challenges, they remain confident they can go the distance using a combination of smarts and hustle. Metal Center News Editor Tim Triplett moderated a panel discussion Feb 16 with six ASD members in Detroit. They shared observations on current market conditions, supply and demand issues, industry consolidation, mill-service center relations, pricing trends, imports, logistics, the plight of American manufacturing, sales compensation and capital spending. An edited transcript is presented.