Tag: Manufacturing

Labor agreements across US aluminum producers are converging around 2026, bringing collective bargaining timelines into sharper focus this year.

US RV wholesale shipments declined more sharply than typical seasonal norms in November 2025, signaling mounting pressure on discretionary consumer spending amid inflation and elevated interest rates.

We saw solid gains in most markets this past week, but intraday swings were massive as high volatility persists. In base metals, tin was the biggest winner for the week (up almost 13%) followed by nickel (up by 5.2%). Copper and aluminum rose by about 4% each, followed by lead (2.1%) and zinc (up by 1%). The cash to-three month spreads moved into a backwardation for both copper and aluminum. But contangos were evident in the rest of the group.

Anheuser-Busch InBev has repurchased a minority stake in its US metal can manufacturing operations, reversing a $3 billion transaction completed in 2020.

December survey data showed lead times rising across aluminum products even as respondents reported steadier conditions.

Trailers represent a significant source of demand for aluminum extruders and sheet mills, consuming a lot of 6061 alloys. So, any softness in trailer orders is not welcome news.

ALUKO Group plans to establish a second US manufacturing facility in Tennessee, expanding its domestic manufacturing presence beyond the EV-focused Jackson site.

MMG Extrusions completed a multi-year expansion at its New Hampshire facility that increased extrusion capacity and added automated aging, packing, and downstream processing.

AKFA Aluminum Solutions will establish its first US manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky, introducing a new extrusion-focused aluminum producers into the regional secondary market.

Workers at Real Alloy's Kentucky facility unanimously ratified their first collective bargaining agreement following a strike authorization vote, concluding months of negotiations.