Sign In  |  Join Free  |  Contact |  Help

Home > News > Raw Materials > Local steel companies continue to sustian in weak U.S. market

Local steel companies continue to sustian in weak U.S. market

By Amicia Ramsey , 2016-12-24 09:11:20

Share to:


MERIDIAN, Miss-- (WTOK) Local steel mills, service centers, and businesses have felt the affect of the rising costs of steel. Sales Coordinator, Alex Picket with Gipson Steel in Meridian said it's hard to compete against imported Chinese steel prices.
"Since the economy has been down. You can't really think about making a whole lot of profit in your jobs right now," said Picket.
Gipson Steel performs medium to heavy structural steel fabrication for commercial and industrial work. Picket says business was stagnate during the U.S. Presidential Election.
"Every election year is pretty slow as far as construction wise people are unsure that is what its going on," said Picket.
There was a contrast in policy between President Elect Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
"China can produce and ship steel to America cheaper than what our mills could do it for. That really disturbed the market," said Picket. Picket said the market is unpredictable but many are optimistic going forward. "We know that Trump stated he was going to try to do away with the cheap steel coming here from China."
Gipson Steel employees 65 people. In order to maintain a continuous work flow, Picket said they need 600 to 800 shop hours a month to keep everyone busy.
"The main thing is keep all of your employees busy out in the shop," said Picket.
In April 2016 Structural Steel in Meridian laid off about 10 percent of its workforce. Picket said they are fortunate Gipson Steel hasn't had to make those types of cuts.
"There are several fabricators, not here locally but in other states that have had to shut their doors because of the way the market was. But we have held on. It just takes good people and we have good people here," said Picket.
Gipson Steel has been around for the past 40 years. They buy raw materials, process them, and ship them to various projects. Some of their clients have been in Pensacola, Starkville, and other areas out of state.

Source:http://www.wtok.com/

Remark on News

Overall Rating0 reviews

  • 0 People
  • 0 People
  • 0 People
  • 0 People
  • 0 People

Evaluate the Details

Overall Rating:
Click the stars of the show rated
logo

Free Submit for Publication

Fastener News,Import & Export Statistics Reports,Industrial Actives,Exhibition,Forum etc.are welcome

word,image,excel,txt,pdf,rar,zip only