There are 793 active industrial projects scheduled to begin construction in 2005 and beyond in the “Lone Star State,” according to Houston-based Industrial Information Resources (IIR).

Led by China, total world steel production increased at a rate of 8.8% in 2004, according to the International Iron & Steel Institute (IISI).

Affiliated Distributors presented awards for “Greatest Overall Growth” to A.P. Supply Co. (Texarkana, Ark.) and Houston-based Piping and Equipment at its annual PVF Division Spring Network Meeting in Dallas, held in March.

As reported in Late-Breaking News in May Supply House Times, Newport News, Va.-based Ferguson Enterprises signed an agreement to purchase the assets of Full Service Supply (FSS), headquartered in Latrobe, Pa.

Some $11 billion in spending has been identified for more than 186 projects in the planning stage, according to Houston's Industrial Information Resources (IIR).

Expectations for 2005 remain high as 72% of manufacturing executives surveyed by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) in its biennial economic “Report on Business®” forecast revenues to be greater in 2005 than in 2004.

IPSCO announced first quarter sales of $746 million, a whopping 55% increase over the $483 million reported in 2004's first quarter.

The Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) announced that the recycling rate for the world's and America's steel remained at 70.7% in 2004.

World stainless steel production reached 24.6 million metric tons (mmt) for the full year 2004, according to the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF).

Central States Industrial Supply (Omaha, NE) has announced four key appointments.