June 1, 2006 — Carpenter Technology’s Specialty Alloys Operations unit will increase prices 5% on all air melted stainless products and 5 to 8% per pound on all premium melted products. The increases are effective immediately.

The company announced that it will also begin to include copper in its raw material surcharge formula for certain copper-bearing grades. The change in surcharge will go into effect with shipments beginning June 1, 2006.

The copper element of the surcharge will be based on the monthly average Comex price, using a base price of $1.00 per pound. June's surcharge will be based on May's average Comex price, which was $3.76 per pound. The company said that the surcharge is necessary to offset the unprecedented increase in copper prices.

Based in Wyomissing, Pa., Carpenter Technology is a leading manufacturer and distributor of specialty alloys and various engineered products.