The Metals Activity Report from the Metals Service Center Institute shows November 2011 service center shipments grew at slightly slower rates for steel in the US and Canada. Steel inventory levels declined in the US and Canada.

US Service Centers shipped 3.301 million tons of steel products in the month of November 2011. This represents an increase of 10.6% YoY from November 2010. For YTD 2011, steel shipments were 37.753.7 million tons, an increase of 15.0% YoY. Steel product inventories were 8.100 million tons at the end of November 2011, an increase of 11.3% YoY over November 2010 and a decrease of 3.3% MoM. At the current shipping rate, this represents 2.5 months of supply on hand, an increase of 0.7% from a year ago.

Canadian service centers shipped 534,700 tonnes of steel products in the month of November 2011. This represents an increase of 4.3% YoY from November 2010. For YTD 2011, steel shipments were 5.869 million tonnes, an increase of 11.0% YoY. Steel product inventories were 1.346 million tonnes at the end of November, 2011, an increase of 3.9% YoY and a decrease of 9.4% MoM. At the current shipping rate, this represents 2.5 months of supply on hand, a decrease of 0.4% from a year ago.

Founded in 1909, the Metals Service Center Institute has more than 370 members operating from about 1,200 locations in the US, Canada, Mexico and elsewhere in the world.