U.S. steel mills shipped 9,194,000 net tons in May 2004, according to the latest data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). The May shipments represent a 7.3% increase from the 8,567,000 net tons shipped in May 2003, and an 0.6% increase from the 9,142,000 net tons shipped in the previous month, April 2004.

For the first five months of 2004, steel shipments were 46,717,000 net tons, representing a 7.7% increase from the 43,374,000 net tons shipped during the same period in 2003.

A year-to-year comparison of shipments shows the following changes within major market classifications:

• Service centers and distributors, +4.0%.
• Automotive, +4.8%.
• Construction and contractors’ products, +8.8%.
• Oil and gas, +8.5%.
• Machinery, industrial equipment and tools, +14.5%.
• Appliances, utensils and cutlery, +4.8%.
• Containers, packaging and shipping materials, +2.8%.
• Electrical equipment, –6.7%.

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI is comprised of 31 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 118 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.