Over the past few years, purchasing managers across the automotive sector have had to navigate an increasingly complex steel market. Shifting trade tariffs, fluctuating domestic mill lead times, and strict allocation schedules have added layers of unpredictability to routine material procurement. In this environment, relying solely on traditional transactional buying, where raw steel is purchased… Read more »
When you wind a transformer coil, there is no room for mistakes. A single bad edge or an out-of-spec copper strip can ruin an entire production run. It can tear insulation, fail electrical testing, or cause a field failure down the road. In the decades I’ve spent in the metals industry, I’ve learned that a… Read more »
If you’re buying copper for cable wrap applications, you’ve probably already felt it: tighter supply, higher prices, and longer lead times that don’t seem to be easing up. That’s not a temporary blip. This is the early stage of a structural shift in how much copper the grid, data centers, and electrification broadly are going… Read more »
July brings an operational crossroads for procurement managers and supply chain executives. The intense, fast-paced push of the first half of the year is officially in the rearview mirror, but the high-stakes, hard deadlines of Q3 and Q4 are just ahead. In the metals and manufacturing sectors, it is easy to treat the mid-summer months… Read more »
The modern electrical grid is a marvel of engineering, powering every element of American life. Yet, beneath the steady hum of progress lies an uncomfortable reality: the backbone of our power infrastructure is growing old. Across the United States, large power transformers (LPTs) and distribution units are quietly reaching the end of their intended lifespans…. Read more »
Where your copper and aluminum came from used to be a matter of preference. But if you’ve spent any time working on utility infrastructure, transformer builds, or power gen projects lately, you know the question of sourcing has gotten a lot more pointed. Now, it’s showing up in contract language, funding conditions, and procurement audits…. Read more »
When most people think about what makes a data center work, they picture rows of servers, blinking status lights, and miles of fiber optic cable. What’s less visible, but just as critical, is the electrical infrastructure underneath. For decades, the question of how power gets from the grid to the equipment that actually runs the… Read more »
If you’ve purchased high-carbon steel in the last few years, you know the market has been unpredictable. Factors like tariffs, geopolitical instability, and a reduced domestic supply have created pressures that even experienced buyers have rarely encountered. We spoke with Chad Castrigano, Director of National Accounts at Three D Metals, to discuss what is driving… Read more »
What a whirlwind the last few days have been in San Diego at DTECH 2026! From the bustling exhibitor floor to deep-dive technical sessions, the energy this year was palpable. As always, this jam-packed show was a lot to take in. For the utility, data center, and power gen sectors, the conversation is no longer… Read more »
The metals landscape of 2025 was marked by volatility and uncertainty. We saw copper and aluminum prices tethered to shifting trade policies and the first major waves of AI infrastructure planning. We also witnessed record nominal highs for copper, driven by concerns over potential tariffs. As we enter 2026, the conversation is changing. The theoretical… Read more »
