FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Meg Mullery 202.342.8439

mmullery(colliershannon.com

Specialty Metals Industry Group Releases Year-End 2004 Market Data

(Washington, D.C.)(March 18, 2005)-The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA)

today released import, U.S. consumption, and import penetration data covering annual 2004

compared to 2003. Following data presented by specialty steel product line, total stainless steel,

and total specialty steel:

â Stainless steel sheet/strip: Imports were 435,775 tons, a 42% increase; consumption was

1,811,334 tons, a 14% increase; import penetration was 24%, a five percentage point

increase.

â Stainless steel plate: Imports were 68,433 tons, a 32% increase; consumption was

288,035 tons, a 2% increase; import penetration was 24%, a six percentage point

increase.

â Stainless steel bar: Imports were 83,533 tons, a 23% increase; consumption was 204,638

tons, an 11 % increase; import penetration was 41 %, a four percentage point increase.

â Stainless steel rod: Imports were 47,616 tons, a 35% increase; U.S. consumption was

73,641 tons, a 16% increase; import penetration was 65%, a nine percentage point

increase.

â Stainless steel wire: Imports were 41,816 tons, a 22% increase; U.S. consumption was

81,707 tons, a 13% increase; import penetration was 51%, a four percentage point

increase.

Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the above product lines) were 677,173 tons, a 37%

increase; U.S. consumption was 2,459,356 tons, a 13% increase ; import penetration was 28%, a

five percentage point increase.

â Alloy tool steel: Imports were 94,641 tons, an 8% increase; U.S. consumption and import

penetration are not calculable.

- more -

 EE-RM/STD-00-550 COMMENT 86

3050 K Street, NW 

Washington, DC 20007 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Meg Mullery 202.342.8439 

mmullery@colliershannon.com 

Specialty Metals Industry Group Releases Year-End 2004 Market Data 

(Washington, D.C.)(March 18, 2005)-The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) 

today released import, U.S. consumption, and import penetration data covering annual 2004 

compared to 2003. Following data presented by specialty steel product line, total stainless steel, 

and total specialty steel: 

~ Stainless steel sheet/strip: Imports were 435,775 tons, a 42% increase; consumption was 

1,811,334 tons, a 14% increase; import penetration was 24%, a five percentage point 

mcrease. 

~ Stainless steel plate: Imports were 68,433 tons, a 32% increase; consumption was 

288,035 tons, a 2% increase; import penetration was 24%, a six percentage point 

mcrease. 

~ Stainless steel bar: Imports were 83,533 tons, a 23% increase; consumption was 204,638 

tons, an 11 % increase; import penetration was 41 %, a four percentage point increase. 

~ Stainless steel rod: Imports were 47,616 tons, a 35% increase; U.S. consumption was 

73,641 tons, a 16% increase; import penetration was 65%, a nine percentage point 

mcrease. 

~ Stainless steel wire: Imports were 41,816 tons, a 22% increase; U.S. consumption was 

81,707 tons, a 13% increase; import penetration was 51 %, a four percentage point 

mcrease. 

Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the above product lines) were 677,173 tons, a 37% 

increase; U.S. consumption was 2,459,356 tons, a 13% increase; import penetration was 28%, a 

five percentage point increase. 

~ Alloy tool steel: Imports were 94,641 tons, an 8% increase; U.S. consumption and import 

penetration are not calculable. 

- more-
SSINA/March 18, 2005/page two

Electrical steel: Imports were 86,702 tons, an 8% increase; U.S. consumption was

396,924 tons, a 2% increase; import penetration was 22%, a one percentage point

increase.

Imports of total specialty steel (stainless steel, alloy tool steel, and electrical steel) were 858,516

tons, a 29% increase; U.S. consumption was 2,929,633 tons, an 11% increase; and import

penetration was 29%, a four percentage point increase. See attached chart for additional data on

imports, U.S. consumption, and import penetration for 2004, 2003 and 2002.

SSINA is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing virtually all continental

specialty metals producers. Specialty metals are high technology, high value stainless and other

specialty alloy products.

David A. Hartquist, an international trade attorney with the Washington, DC law firm Collier

Shannon Scott, PLLC, serves as lead counsel to SSINA.

 EE-RM/STD-00-550 COMMENT 86

SSINA/March 18, 200S/page two 

~ Electrical steel: Imports were 86,702 tons, an 8% increase; U.S. consumption was 

396,924 tons, a 2% increase; import penetration was 22%, a one percentage point 

increase. 

Imports of total specialty steel (stainless steel, alloy tool steel, and electrical steel) were 858,516 

tons, a 29% increase; U.S. consumption was 2,929,633 tons, an 11 % increase; and import 

penetration was 29%, a four percentage point increase. See attached chart for additional data on 

imports, U.S. consumption, and import penetration for 2004, 2003 and 2002. 

SSINA is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing virtually all continental 

specialty metals producers. Specialty metals are high technology, high value stainless and other 

specialty alloy products. 

David A. Hartquist, an international trade attorney with the Washington, DC law firm Collier 

Shannon Scott, PLLC, serves as lead counsel to SSINA. 

- more-
U.S. Imports, Consumption and Market Penetration Data 11

For Specialty Steel Product Lines

2004/2003/2002

(in short tons)

Imports U.S. Consumption

Twelve Month

Import Penetration

Specialty Steel

Product Lines

Month

Dec

2004

YTD

Dec

2004

Increase/

Decrease

YTD 2004 -03

Month

Dec

2004

YTD

Dec

2004

Increase/

Decrease

YTD 2004-03

YTD

Dec

2004

YTD

Dec

2003

Stainless Sheet/Strip 53,095 435,775 42% 157,607 1,811,334 14% 24% 19%

Stainless Plate 5,254 68,433 32% 22,586 288,035 2% 24% 18%

Stainless Bar 9,647 83,533 23% 20,208 204,638 11% 41% 37%

Stainless Rod 4,820 47,616 35% 6,885 73,641 16% 65% 56%

Stainless Wire 3,964 41,816 22% 6,032 81,707 13% 51% 47%

Total Stainless Steel

(Sheet, Strip, Plate, Bar, Rod & Wire) 76,781 677,173 37% 213,318 2,459,356 13% 28% 23%

Alloy Tool Steel 2/ 10,237 94,641 8% NC NC NC NC NC

Electrical Steel 5,735 86,702 8% 34,882 396,924 2% 22% 21%

Total Specialty 92,753 858 ,516 29% 256,115 2,929,633 11% 29% 25%

2003 and 2002 statistical data in tons follow:

Imports U.S. Consumption

Twelve Month

Import Penetration

Specialty Steel

Product Lines

2003

Increase/

Decrease

2003 vs. 2002

2003

Increase/

Decrease

03 vs. 02

2003 2002

Stainless Sheet/Strip 306,494 3% 1,593,816 0% 19% 19%

Stainless Plate 51,994 -13% 283,334 13% 18% 24%

Stainless Bar 67,901 -20% 184,529 -8% 37% 42%

Stainless Rod 35,168 -39% 63,217 -30% 56% 65%

Stainless Wire 34,167 4% 72,265 -6% 47% 43%

Total Stainless Steel

(Sheet, Strip, Plate, Bar, Rod & Wire) 495,724 -7% 2,174,465 -2% 23% 24%

Alloy Tool Steel 87,690 14% NC NC NC NC

Electrical Steel 80,492 14% 387,994 -9% 21%1 17%

Total Specialty 663,906 -3% 2,634,208 -2% 25% 25%

NOTE: Changes in import penetration are percentage point changes.

If Imports adjusted to exclude hot bands imported for re-rolling and reported under shipments.

2/ Shipments of Alloy Tool Steel unavailable, hence consumption and import penetration not calculable.

NC = Not calculable.

Prepared by Georgetown Economic Services for the Specialty Steel Industry of North America

25-Feb-05

 EE-RM/STD-00-550 COMMENT 86

u.s. Imports, Consumption and Market Penetration Data 1) 

For Specialty Steel Product Lines 

2004/2003/2002 

(in short tons) 

Imports U.S. Consumption 

Month YTD Increase) Month YTD Increasel 

Specialty Steel Dec Dec Decrease Dec Dec Decrease 

Product Lines 2004 2004 YTO 2004-03 2004 2004 YTO 2004-03 

Stainless Sheet/Strip 53,095 435,775 42% 157,607 1,811,334 14% 

Stainless Plate 5,254 68,433 32% 22,586 288,035 2% 

Stainless Bar 9,647 83,533 23% 20,208 204,638 11% 

Stainless Rod 4,820 47,616 35% 6,885 73,641 16% 

Stainless Wire 3,964 41,816 22% 6,032 81,707 13% 

Total Stainless Steel 

(Sheet, Strip, Plate, Bar, Rod & Wire) 76,781 677,173 37% 213,318 2,459,356 13% 

Alloy Tool Steel 21 10,237 94,641 8% NC NC NC 

Electrical Steel 5,735 86,702 8% 34,882 396,924 2% 

Total Specialty 92,753 858,516 29% 256,115 2,929,633 11% 

2003 and 2002 statistical data in tons follow: 

Imports U.S. Consumption 

Increasel Increasel 

Specialty Steel 2003 Decrease 2003 Decrease 

Product Lines 2003 vs. 2002 03 vs. 02 

Stainless Sheet/Strip 306,494 3% 1,593,816 0% 

Stainless Plate 51,994 -13% 283,334 13% 

Stainless Bar 67,901 -20% 184,529 -8% 

Stainless Rod 35,168 -39% 63,217 -30% 

Stainless Wire 34,167 4% 72,265 -6% 

Total Stainless Steel 

(Sheet, Strip, Plate, Bar, Rod & Wire) 495,724 -7% 2,174,465 -2% 

Alloy Tool Steel 87,690 14% NC NC 

Electrical Steel 80,492 14% 387,994 -9% 

Total Specialty 663,906 -3% 2,634,208 -2% 

NOTE: Changes in import penetration are percentage point changes. 

11 Imports adjusted to exclude hot bands imported for re-rolling and reported under shipments. 

21 Shipments of Alloy Tool Steel unavailable, hence consumption and import penetration not calculable. 

NC = Not calculable. 

Prepared by Georgetown Economic Services for the Specialty Steel Industry of North America 

2S-Feb-OS 

Twelve Month 

Import Penetration 

YTD YTD 

Dec Dec 

2004 2003 

24% 19% 

24% 18% 

41% 37% 

65% 56% 

51% 47% 

28% 23% 

NC NC 

22% 21% 

29% 25% 

Twelve Month 

Import Penetration 

2003 2002 

19% 19% 

18% 24% 

37% 42% 

56% 65% 

47% 43% 

23% 24% 

NC NC 

21% 17% 

25% 25%