'How to' Questions from Steel Consultants


Understanding the Different Types of Coated Steel
Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:00:10 -0500
There a number of different types of coated steel product. In this article, the authors describe the different forms of coated steel and their main characteristics and applications.


Understanding the Steel Industry Cost Price Squeeze
Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:35:22 -0500
The cost price squeeze is a phenomenon that is often discussed by steel industry planners. Predicting significant erosion of the steel product revenue stream over time, the squeeze arises mainly because of the impact of technological developments on steel making production costs. In this article, the author discusses the basis for the squeeze as well as its approximate magnitude.


Understanding the Different End-Uses of Steel
Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:27:10 -0500
Steel is typically uses as a flat product, as a long product, or in the form of tube. In this article, the author discusses the different steel products that are to be found within each of these different categories.


How to Improve Labour Productivity in Iron and Steelmaking Operations
Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:11:27 -0500
Iron and steel making is a relatively high fixed cost business, with labour cost typically representing a large proportion of the fixed costs. In this article, the authors discuss how productivity can often be improved and fixed labour cost reduced - shifting the overall cost structure to a more variable basis.


Understanding Yield Loss in Iron and Steelmaking
Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:46:20 -0500
Yield loss has an important bearing on steel plant productivity. In this article, the author explains the basis for yield losses, describes their origins and comments on their importance for mill productivity.


How to Organize a Steel Company Sales Force
Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:43:51 -0500
There are times - such as following a merger or acquisition - or after the departure of a significant part of the sales team - when a steel company needs to reassess the organization of its sales force. The article that follows describes one approach to this task, which has the benefit of being both market driven and proactive in terms of managing future customer relationships.


Understanding the Steel Production Chain
Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:03:56 -0500
Investors in the steel sector often come across terms such as slab or hot dip galvanised sheet. The definitions of these terms and the interrelationships between different steel products in the production chain are not always clear. In this article, the authors describe the steel product 'production' chain and the flow of products from semi-finished to finished steel.


Steel Price Cycle - Frequency and Magnitude of Price Swings
Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:37:11 -0500
The steel price cycle is a well-known phenomenon. With world steel prices typically moving to a peak, falling back to a trough, and then commencing a climb to a new peak once more. This article describes the frequency and magnitude of recent price swings in international steel prices, and considers some explanations for these movements.


Steel Price Forecasting - An Econometric Modelling Approach
Fri, 27 May 2011 15:50:30 -0500
Price forecasting is a critical step in strategic planning . In this article, management consultants MCI outline an econometric approach to price forecasting in the steel industry.


Defining Production Capacity for an Iron and Steel Plant
Fri, 27 May 2011 10:43:43 -0500
Production of steel is generally understood as a fairly high fixed cost activity. Maximisation of asset use - with operation of plant at high levels of capacity utilisation - is therefore important. This raises the question however, of how steel making capacity should be defined.


How to Improve Product Mix and Value Added in a Steel Business
Thu, 26 May 2011 09:58:31 -0500
Steel is a commodity product. This article discusses whether it is possible for a steel business to produce a 'rich' product mix with high value-added steel products.


How to Use Consultants to Improve Steel Company Profitability
Wed, 25 May 2011 14:00:48 -0500
Profitability is often an issue in heavy industry. This article discusses the use of profit improvement programs to improve steel company bottom line performance.