Contributor: Nicholas Bell

Nicholas Bell

Nicholas brings over half a decade of experience covering metals markets, pricing trends, and supply chain dynamics. Prior to joining AMU, he reported on aluminum, high-temperature scrap, and ferro-alloy markets at Argus Media, with additional coverage of minor metals and rare earths. His work has built deep expertise in North American metals pricing and trade flows. A native of Houston, Nicholas holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Production and an MBA with a concentration in Finance, both from the University of Houston.

Century sees more Mt. Holly output in second half

Century Aluminum completed its Mt. Holly restart in Q2, but shipments remained nearly flat as added production moves into the second half.

Commerce expands aluminum container circumvention inquiry

Commerce opened circumvention inquiries into disposable aluminum container imports from Malaysia and Indonesia while earlier Vietnam and Thailand cases continue toward final determinations.

Light shines down on an aluminum can top

Novelis shipments decline, Bay Minette commissioning advances

Novelis reported lower third-party rolled product shipments, higher intersegment volumes and provided a more detailed Bay Minette startup timeline.

Daimler closure, International sale reshape truck manufacturing

Daimler Truck North America will close its Portland commercial truck plant while International Motors will sell its Springfield assembly operations to Roshel, reshaping commercial vehicle manufacturing in the US.

Logistics, Commercial Vehicles, Commercial Vehicle, Class 8, Class 8 trucks

Commerce sets preliminary duties on Mexican, Canadian trailers

Commerce issued preliminary antidumping duty determinations on Mexican and Canadian van-type trailer imports, with Mexico receiving higher preliminary margins.

Aluminum can, UBC, Used Beverage Can, Beverage can sheet, Tab stock

Ball works through capacity constraints

Ball posted higher second-quarter North and Central America can sales and low-single-digit shipment growth, but startup costs and a tight network kept segment earnings from rising.

Ford rebuilds F-Series output after Novelis disruption

Ford narrowed its F-Series production decline during the second quarter, but Super Duty output, gross stocks and fleet deliveries continued to reflect the Novelis aluminum disruption.

Semi-fabricated markets aren’t moving together

Recent earnings show stronger shipments in specific rolled products than extrusions, but changing automotive programs, billet supply disruptions and trade flows complicate broader market conclusions.

Nemak targets second-half start-up for Georgia megacasting plant

Nemak expects production at its Georgia megacasting facility to begin in the second half of 2026, with ramp-up continuing through 2028 following its acquisition of GF Casting Solutions.

Kaiser's packaging ramp drives shipment growth

Higher packaging and general engineering shipments drove Kaiser Aluminum's second-quarter volume growth, while favorable metal conditions lifted earnings.