M. Murat Eryilmaz CEO, SteelOrbis
CEOLetter
2014: A year for the “littlethings”
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nother New Year, another whirlwind of outlooks, forecasts, speculation and educated guesses. It seems as if everyone always has a solid opinion on how the steel industry will fare once the confetti falls and the champagne flattens. But there seems to be a difference this year—instead of widespread concern as to whether this year will finally be the year of recovery for the steel industry (and global economy overall), the doubt and fear have finally lifted. Instead of wondering if they’ll make it through this year without closing up shop, most steel-related companies finally have the luxury to only worry about the little things. Of course, some little things aren’t so little. ere are still major developments underway, most notably the US antidumping/countervailing trade case against rebar imports from Turkey and Mexico. As with yearly outlooks, everyone along the supply chain has an opinion on how the case will—or should—get resolved. Our cover story on page 34 delves deeper into the brief history and potential future of the case.
www.steelorbis.com
Forecasts for long products will be even more pervasive during SteelOrbis’ next event, the ever-popular Rebar & Wire Rod Conference during the World of Concrete expo in Las Vegas this January. If you can’t make it to the actual event, stay tuned for recaps on SteelOrbis.com—with a distributor, industry association representative, trade lawyer, and the chairman of the Turkish Steel Exporters Association on the stage, sparks are sure to fly and strong words will no doubt be exchanged. For a more comprehensive view on what 2014 has in store for the US rebar market, check out Prime’s interview with Frank Bergren, Managing Director of Metal Partners Rebar, on page 20. For a wider look into the worldwide longs market, be sure to peruse the host of other interviews in this issue, many taken during the SteelOrbis Fall 2013 Conference & 69th IREPAS Meeting in Istanbul in September. e overall sentiment seems to be on the bullish side, but obstacles still abound to pre-crisis levels of prosperity. And if looking ahead gets to be too much, take a retrospective look back at last year’s
Most Likely list in the Steel Scope article on page 40—did predictions for certain steel companies in 2013 come true? Whatever is most appealing to you—looking back or forward—the one area everyone can afford to look is around. e New Year also means new resolutions—what are your plans to improve your own corner of the steel industry this year? Most resolutions, like going to the gym and quitting smoking, are meant to be broken, but business goals have an underlying motivation that isn’t as easy to dismiss. A better, stronger business means a better, stronger steel industry when everyone is working toward their resolutions. And if you haven’t made any yet, it’s never too late. With warm regards,
Prime
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