This is due to the large size of these industries within Major Group 29 - Primary Metal Industries. Demand for primary metal products in particular for steel and aluminum, continues to be strong with the value of shipments, for the first half of 1998 up slightly from the same period in 1997. Shipments have climbed every year since the recession in 1991.
Investment is up significantly and the major group continues to post a positive trade balance.
Also in the major group are the Steel Pipe and Tube Industry, Iron Foundries, Rolling, Casting and Extruding Industries for aluminum and copper, and the Other Non-ferrous Metals Industry. The Primary Metal Industries consist of over 450 manufacturing establishments. As shown in Table 1. Increased drilling and pipeline construction activity was mainly responsible for large increases to pipe and tube manufacturers. Contributing to this increase in production of steel pipe and tubing has been the strength of the oil and gas sector.