Commodity metal costs remain high. Copper averaged $3.19 per pound in January, which represent a four-year high. Steel, zinc and nickel are all up sharply for the year.

The round of valve price increases that commenced in January, 2018, continues with more manufacturers implementing increases in the 4.0-8.0 percent range, depending on the material.

The market outlook remains steady. For December, construction spending on residential activity was up 0.4 percent in comparison to November and was up 6.2 percent year-over-year. Commercial (building) construction was up 2.2 percent over November and up 3.7 percent year-over-year.

The American Supply Association (ASA) and its Industrial Piping Division (IPD) is the national organization serving wholesaler-distributors and their suppliers in the industrial and mechanical pipe-valve-fitting industry.  As a powerful alliance of channel partners, we provide a forum for your upstream trading partners to exchange critical information and address key issues.

In particular, ASA’s IPD members constantly check the pulse of the materials and commodities they proudly supply to you.  ASA’s IPD members are knowledgeable industry leaders, and those who volunteer their service on the IPD Executive Council compile and prepare the IPD Commodity Reports.  The Reports contain some of the most current and qualified market data and information available from the industry’s leading manufacturers and distributors about emerging trends and other price-influencing actions and events.

This information is an example of how ASA’s IPD manufacturer and distributor members are constantly looking ahead to ensure you have information and resources you need to be successful.  Learn more at www.AdvanceYourAbility.com.