Material Handling Equipment - Racks, Conveyors, Carousels, Warehouse Equipment & more.
SJF’s very own Stafford Sterner recently penned an article for Material Handling Management Magazine. This article gives you 7 real-world, useable tips for purchasing used material handling equipment.
Click Here (opens in a new window) to read the article on the MHM Website, and Leave a comment here if you enjoyed the article. Let us know what you think.
Over the past week, the Chinese scrap market saw a slight rising trend, with a further ascension expected in the coming period against the tight availability of scrap supply. However, the relatively soft performance lately observed in the finished steel market is likely to exert a significant impact on the scrap market
Source: SteelOrbis Shanghai - For the latest in steel news & trends subscribe to SteelOrbis News at http://www.steelorbis.com
With US shredded scrap prices dropping by up to $30/long ton this month, there is a very good chance that US rebar prices will fall right along with them.
Given the ongoing weak demand in the US rebar market, it is quite likely that this time, domestic mills may opt to lower rebar prices in step with the decreases in scrap.
eanwhile, Turkish mills are still pretty hungry for business and they are seeing falling scrap costs as well. However, if US prices do come down another notch as expected, Mexican rebar imports, along with imports from other sources, will most likely come down by at least as much in order to stay competitive with US material. Source: SteelOrbis - - For the latest in steel news & trends subscribe to SteelOrbis News at http://www.steelorbis.com
NAPERVILLE, Ill.—Interlake Material Handling, a large long time manufacturer of steel storage racks and a division of United Fixtures, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The news was reported by a newspaper in Sumter, S.C. The newspaper quoted a company manager who said the filing was a preemptive measure that would allow the company to restructure.
“This is not a liquidation,” Jones said. “The biggest advantage to us is that it allows us to restructure our debt. It will allow us to obtain working capital in order to continue our operations and put us in a better position to be acquired by another company.”
Although there is no word yet about a final deal, Interlake is reportedly in talks with a potential buyer. “We have a buyer with a very strong balance sheet,” said Jones. “The sale has not been finalized yet, however.”
Jones also said the bankruptcy will not lead to a closure of the Sumter plant and predicted a bright future for Interlake in Sumter, S.C.
“This is a very positive thing for us,” he says. “If bankruptcy can be seen in a positive light, this definitely is. And, while I can’t speak for the future, especially if the company is purchased, at this time, we have no plans for further reductions in personnel.”
Yesterday, the bankruptcy court entered an order approving bidding procedures for substantially all of the assets of Interlake Material Handling, Inc. and its affiliates. The court also approved the proposed break-up fee and expense reimbursement for the stalking horse bidders for the assets, Mecalux USA, Inc. and Mecalux Mexico S.A. de C.V., which would be paid in the event that those parties are not the winning bidders for the assets at the conclusion of the bidding process.
The order attaches the approved procedures for other parties to provide competing bids for the assets. In the event that qualified competing bids are received, an auction is scheduled to be held on March 4, 2009 in Wilmington, Delaware. Source: netDockets Corporate Restructuring and Bankruptcy Blog
02-10-2009 Press Release:
SJF Automation Development Team announces beta release of Chameleon Carousel Controls for Dual Carousel Control System. The new dual control system provides the client the ability to control 2 carousels with 1 Chameleon controller. Single system clients of Chameleon can upgrade to this option simply by having the clients return single system controllers and touch screens to SJF be upgraded to the new Dual program and Screen set. In addition to the softwware upgrade, a new Input module will replace the customers existing input module. More details and contact information can be found by contacting Dave Milan at SJF Solutions Developement via phone at 630-258-0011 or by going to http://www.sjf.com/controls/carousel_controls.html
Winsted, MN - (Dec. 9, 2008) SJF Material Handling of Winsted, Minnesota has announced the introduction of Sure-Pik(TM) Lite Carousel Storage and Retrieval Software. Sure-Pik can be used with any make or model of horizontal or vertical carousel using the original controls or SJF’s Chameleon Carousel Controls.(TM)
Users log in, then use the keyboard or a scanner to enter the part number, SKU or other identifier. Information about the part is displayed on screen, and a click of the Retrieve button brings the part location to the operations area. Full diagnostics are included, and the system can also be run in Bin Location mode, which operates much like manual carousel controls to retrieve parts by location. The View Parts function permits the operator to search for a part with incomplete knowledge such as half a part number, product type, etc.
Included is Sure-Pik Lite Manager, database management software based on Microsoft SQL Server Database Engine. Authorized users can update the parts database by adding, deleting or editing product information, location and graphics.
Sure-Pik Lite is the first off-the-shelf Sure-Pik software release from SJF. More features will be available on future releases, and custom solutions are currently available.
In business since 1979, SJF Material Handling (SJF.com) is a nationwide provider of new, used and “renewed” material handling equipment. SJF services include design, layout, engineering, installation and systems integration of material handling equipment. Headquartered in Winsted, Minnesota, SJF recently added a new Indiana sales office in 2008.
SJF Contact: Dave Milan
Chameleon & Sure-Pik Webpage
630-258-0011
dmilan@sjf.com
World stainless steel production fell by almost 30% year-on-year in the final quarter of 2008, estimates analyst Macquarie Research Commodities. This is the biggest such quarterly drop since 1975, it adds, reflecting the severity of the global turndown and the “desperate measures” taken by stainless mills.
Factoring in this decline in activity, Macquarie estimates global stainless production at 26.4m tonnes in 2008. This is 6.6% down on its figure of 28.3m t for 2007, which in turn was 1.2% below the record 28.6m t in 2006 (slightly more than the International Stainless Steel Forum’s 28.4m t for that year).
Info provided courtesy SBB Steel Purchaser
Steel buyers aren’t showing much enthusiasm for early 2009, according to a poll by Purchasing magazine, since incoming customer orders are down, manufacturing operations are depressed and prices on all raw materials have been collapsing. Though more optimistic than in November, buyers are entering the New Year with little enthusiasm about first-quarter demand or flat-rolled product–even with expectations of lower transaction prices than the December averages of $634 for hot-rolled sheet, $736 for cold-rolled sheet and $757 for hot-dip galvanized.
Reason: “The U.S. economy remains firmly locked in a deep recession that will be difficult to emerge from in the months ahead,” which will keep steel demand depressed, says Scott Anderson, the senior economist at Wells Fargo Economics in Minneapolis. “Consumer confidence is getting totally swamped by a rapidly deteriorating labor market and plunging housing and stock market wealth,” which will keep sales of steel-bearing products depressed.
Analyst John Anton at IHS Global Insight’s offices in Washington says that “fear has descended onto the steel market, with prices seizing for many products.” He believes the demand side is weak in preparation of a long recession and that has been stronger than the fourth quarter supply-side reduction in production to less than 50% of capacity.
Mills have cut production but buyers have reduced purchasing more
“There is some credence to the fears on the demand side,” says Anton, noting that “the downturn will be severe and there will be little recovery in North American sheet end-markets of housing, appliances and automotive, which are at the lowest levels in decades.” Anton says this end-use weakness will persist through 2009.
In December, the purchase price average for benchmark hot-rolled sheet in coil was 47% below the cyclical peak of $1,068 in July while cold-rolled sheet in coil dropped by 42%. And there was December price slippage also evident for coated sheet, plate products, rods, light structurals and most bar grades. Stainless steel prices also dipped at year’s end. And the slide isn’t over yet.
In fact, according to sheet steel buyers polled in December, early delivered prices for January averaged $525 for hot-rolled and $628 for cold-rolled. The survey also shows that only 16% of the steel buyers plan to increase purchasing even at reduced prices, though that’s higher than the 12% reporting plans to increase buying in November. “There aren’t that many orders out there, especially at this time of year,” a Midwest service center source tells the American Metal Market subscription newspaper. “The holidays are always slow, but with everything that has happened (related to the global credit crisis), things are even slower.”
Source: Tom Stundza- Purchasing.com
Entering the fourth quarter, the global economy has been negatively impacted by the crisis in the financial markets. What started out as a seasonal slowdown (due to temporary global market disruptions such as the six-month China Olympics effect and the Middle Eastern religious holidays)
has now been overwhelmed by a worldwide financial crisis that is unique in both size and scope in our lifetime. The business environment has obviously become significantly more challenging for everyone including Nucor. There is little forward visibility on either the economy or our industry, even for the fourth quarter. These conditions are such that financial projections are not practical. Therefore, we will not be providing numerical or qualitative guidance at this time. We will give an update of our business at the normal time midway between our quarterly earnings releases.
What we can say is that 2008 will be another record year for Nucor and today our competitive position is stronger than ever, both here and globally. If recent initiatives by the world’s governments to stabilize financial markets are successful, then businesses should see significantly improved access to credit and resulting improved business conditions beginning early in 2009. We are still strong believers in the long-term strength of the global infrastructure build and the associated bull market for steel. It is this global growth in steel demand that will help drive Nucor’s growth and profitability.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Nucor makes more steel in America than any other company. Nucor and affiliates are manufacturers of steel products, with operating facilities primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Products produced include: carbon and alloy steel — in bars, beams, sheet and plate; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; fabricated concrete reinforcing steel; cold finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; light gauge steel framing; steel grating and expanded metal; and wire and wire mesh. Nucor also brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron and HBI/DRI; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap. Nucor is North America’s largest recycler.
Certain statements contained in this news release are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that might cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (1) the sensitivity of the results of our operations to prevailing steel prices and the changes in the supply and cost of raw materials, including scrap steel; (2) market demand for steel products; (3) energy costs and availability; (4) competitive pressure on sales and pricing, including pressure from imports and substitute materials; and (5) capital investments and their impact on our performance. These and other factors are outlined in Nucor’s regulatory filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those in Nucor’s December 31, 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of this date, and Nucor does not assume any obligation to update them.
SOURCE Nucor Corporation - excerpt courtesy of Google Financial
Related links: http://www.nucor.com
