### 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.

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### FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Meg Mullery 202.342.8439 mmullery@colliershannon.com 

## SpecialtyMetals Industry Group Releases Year-End2004 

## MarketData (Washington, D.C.)(March 18, 2005)-The Specialty Steel Industry ofNorthAmerica (SSINA) today released import, U.S. consumption, and importpenetration data covering annual 2004 compared to 2003. Following datapresentedby specialty steel product line, total stainless steel, andtotal specialty steel:**~** 

### Stainless steel sheet/strip: Imports were 435,775 tons, a 42% increase; consumption was 1,811,334tons, a 14% increase; importpenetration was 24%, a five percentagepoint mcrease.**~** 

### Stainless steel plate: Imports were 68,433 tons, a 32% increase; consumption was 288,035 tons, a 2% increase; importpenetrationwas 24%, a sixpercentage point mcrease.**~** 

### Stainless steelbar: Imports were 83,533 tons, a 23% increase; consumptionwas 204,638 tons, an 11% increase; importpenetration was 41%, a four percentage point increase.**~** 

### Stainless steelrod: Imports were 47,616 tons, a 35% increase; U.S. consumption was 73,641 tons, a 16% increase; importpenetration was 65%, a ninepercentage point mcrease.**~** 

### Stainless steel wire: Imports were 41,816 tons, a 22% increase; U.S. consumptionwas 81,707 tons, a 13% increase; importpenetration was 51%, a four percentagepoint mcrease. Imports oftotal stainless steel (comprisingthe above product lines) were 677,173 tons, a 37% increase; U.S. consumptionwas 2,459,356 tons, a 13% increase; importpenetrationwas 28%, a five percentage point increase.**~** 

### Alloytool steel: Imports were 94,641 tons, an 8% increase; U.S. consumption and import penetration are not calculable.



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### 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. 

### 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; importpenetration was 22%, a one percentage point increase. Imports oftotal 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 penetrationwas 29%, a four percentage pointincrease. See attached chart for additional data on imports, U.S. consumption, and importpenetration for 2004, 2003 and 2002.
SSINA is a Washington, DC-based trade associationrepresenting virtually all continental specialty metals producers. Specialty metals are high technology, highvalue stainless and other specialty alloy products.
DavidA. 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 

## u.s. Imports, Consumption and Market Penetration Data 1) For Specialty Steel Product Lines 2004/2003/2002 (in shorttons)

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 ofAlloy 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%