U.S. steel mills shipped 8,447,000 net tons in December 2004, according to the latest data reported by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). This volume represents a 6.5% decrease from the 9,038,000 net tons shipped in December 2003, and a 6.5% decrease from the 9,032,000 net tons shipped in the previous month (November 2004).

For all of 2004, steel shipments were 112,085,000 net tons, a 5.8% increase from the 105,974,000 net tons shipped in 2003. A year-to-year comparison of year to date shipments shows the following changes within major market classifications:

• Service centers and distributors, +4.6%.
• Automotive, +4.9%.
• Construction and contractors’ products, +4.9%.
• Oil and gas, +13.5%.
• Machinery, industrial equipment and tools, +20.2%.
• Appliances, utensils and cutlery, +1.5%.
• Containers, packaging and shipping materials, +1.0%.
• Electrical equipment, –5.1%.

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 also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. The organization is comprised of 32 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 118 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.