September 2011 service center shipments remained above 2010 levels for aluminum products in both the US and Canada. Inventory positions remained near August levels for both metals in both countries.

126,200 tons of aluminum products were shipped by US Service Centers in September, an increase of 6.6% from the same month in 2010. For 2011 year to date aluminum shipments were 1,143,200 tons, an increase of 16.8% from the same period in 2010

Inventories of Aluminum products were 353,500 tons at the end of September 2011, an increase of 7.9% over September a year ago and a decrease of 2.0% from last month. At the current shipping rate, this represents 2.8 months supply in inventory, an increase of 1.1% from a year ago.

13,300 tons of aluminum products were shipped by Canadian Service Centers in September, an increase of 8.8% from the same month in 2010. For 2011 year to date, aluminum shipments were 111,200 tons, an increase of 9.1% from the same period in 2010

Inventories of Aluminum products were 34,900 tons at the end of September 2011, an increase of 11.2% from September a year ago and an increase of 1.9% from last month. At the current shipping rate, this represents 2.6 months supply in inventory, an increase of 2.2% 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.

(Sourced from www.msci.org)