Stainless steel pipe, fittings and flange prices also were decelerating at the end of the year after hitting a four-year peak in October. They remain near four-year highs and have remained steady since July despite this mild deceleration of late. Input prices appear to be rising because of heavier regulatory pressures in key producer nations.  

Input prices into stainless PFF are mixed. Nickel has declined since its 2018 highs of $7/lb., this past June. Current nickel prices are hovering near $5/lb. Increases in manufacturing activity in the U.S. defense aerospace sector has silently increased chromium demand and has stabilized prices of late.

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.