The slowdown in shipments from 2011 levels, which began last month, continued in September, according to Metals Service Center Institute. Steel and aluminum shipments declined approximately 10% in the U.S., compared to the 1% decline registered in August. In Canada, steel shipments were down 15% from September 2011 and aluminum shipments declined on a year-over-year basis for the first time the last two years.

U.S. Service Center Activity
U.S. service centers shipped approximately 3 million tons of steel products in September 2012. This represents a decrease of 9.5% from September 2011. For 2012 year-to-date, steel shipments were more than 32.1 million tons, an increase of 3.3% from the same period in 2011.

Steel product inventories were approximately 8.8 million tons at the end of September 2012, an increase of 3.1% over September a year ago and a decrease of 2.1% from last month. At the current shipping rate, this represents 2.8 months of supply in inventory.

112,500 tons of aluminum products were shipped by U.S. service centers in September, a decrease of 10.8% from the same month in 2011. For 2012 year-to-date, aluminum shipments were 1.2 million tons, an increase of 1.6% from the same period in 2011.

Inventories of aluminum products were 376,600 tons at the end of September 2012, an increase of 6.5% over September a year ago and a decrease of 1.1% from last month. At the current shipping rate, this represents 3.3 months of supply in inventory.

Canadian Service Center Activity
Canadian service centers shipped 469,900 tons of steel products in September 2012. This represents a decrease of 15.6% from September 2011. Year-to-date, 2012 steel shipments were nearly 4.8 million tons, a decrease of 1.0% from the same period in 2011.

Steel product inventories were 1.6 million tons at the end of September 2012, an increase of 4.2% from September a year ago and an increase of 0.5% from last month. At the current shipping rate, this represents 3.5 months of supply in inventory.

12,300 tons of aluminum products were shipped by Canadian service centers in September, a decrease of 7.4% from the same month in 2011. Year-to-date, 2012 aluminum shipments were 121,500 tons, an increase of 9.2% from the same period in 2011.

Inventories of aluminum products were 39,400 tons at the end of September 2012, an increase of 12.8% from September a year ago and an increase of 0.4% from last month. At the current shipping rate, this represents 3.2 months of supply in inventory.