The Hot Sheet
Tariffs
The USITC will issue antidumping duty orders on imports from 16 countries.
fair trade
U.S. International Trade Commission finds 16 countries traded common alloy sheet imports unfairly
On March 31, 2021, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) announced it had unanimously determined unfairly traded imports of common alloy aluminum sheet from 16 countries: Bahrain, Brazil, Croatia, Egypt, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Oman, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan and Turkey. The commission determined that these countries materially injured U.S. producers. In 2019, the value of U.S. common alloy aluminum sheet from these countries totaled approximately $2 billion.
The Aluminum Association’s Aluminum Sheet Trade Enforcement Working Group filed petitions to investigate unfair trade practices on March 9, 2020. “This decision provides vitally needed relief from a second wave of unfairly traded imports from 16 countries that hammered domestic producers just as they were beginning to recover from an onslaught of imports from China,” said Aluminum Association President and CEO Tom Dobbins.
This decision will help ensure that domestic producers can make full use of more than $1 billion in capital investments made in recent years. 
President and CEO
Tom Dobbins
Aluminum Association
Tom Dobbins
Aluminum Association
“This decision will help ensure that domestic producers can make full use of the more than $1 billion in capital investments made in recent years, based on the expectation that healthy market conditions would follow the tariffs on unfair imports from China in early 2019. We greatly appreciate the work of the International Trade Commission and its staff to come to this fair decision that will help level the playing field for American manufacturers.”
According to the USITC, the result of the decision will result in the U.S. Department of Commerce issuing antidumping duty orders on imports from 16 countries. The commission also made negative critical circumstances findings with regard to subsidized imports of this product from Turkey and dumped imports of this product from Indonesia. As a result, these imports will not be subject to retroactive countervailing or antidumping duties.
Common alloy aluminum sheet (CAAS) is a flat-rolled aluminum product having a thickness of 6.3 mm or less, but greater than 0.2 mm, in coils or cut-to-length, regardless of width. CAAS includes both not clad aluminum sheet, as well as multi-alloy, clad aluminum sheet. With respect to not clad aluminum sheet, common alloy sheet is manufactured from a 1XXX-, 3XXX-, or 5XXX-series alloy as designated by the Aluminum Association. With respect to multi-alloy, clad aluminum sheet, common alloy sheet is produced from a 3XXX-series core, to which cladding layers are applied to either one or both sides of the core. CAAS does not include aluminum can stock.
SERVICE & SUPPORT
United Grinding offers retrofitting
To further enhance the overall customer benefits of its machine rebuild and remanufacture services, United Grinding North America, Miamisburg, Ohio, now offers customers with older Walter Helitronic Power Series tool grinding machines the option of new advanced automation technology seamlessly retrofitted as part of a machine rebuild. The option replaces original gantry beam-type loaders that are now obsolete with faster, more productive FANUC LR Mate 200i robots, the same as are featured on brand-new Walter Helitronic machine models. In addition to speed, the new robots handle an increased number of workpieces/tools, are more compact and consume less energy.
PEOPLE
OTC DAIHEN appoints new president and CEO
OTC DAIHEN Inc., Tipp City, Ohio, announced the promotion and appointment of Dr. Yasuhiro Kojina as president and CEO. Kojina replaces Shinsuke “Luke” Kadota, who is returning to Japan to become the deputy general manager of sales and marketing for the planning and administration department, FA robot division, DAIHEN Corp.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
Aluminum sintering for binder jetting technology
Desktop Metal Inc., Burlington, Massachusetts, and Uniformity Labs, Fremont, California, announced a breakthrough powder that enables aluminum sintering for binder jetting AM technology. This new powder is the result of a multi-year collaboration between the companies to develop a low-cost, raw material yielding fully dense, sinterable 6061 aluminum with greater than 10 percent elongation and improved yield strength and ultimate tensile strength versus wrought 6061 aluminum with comparable heat treatment. This new powder enables the sintering of unadulterated 6061 aluminum and represents a significant improvement over prior techniques used to sinter aluminum, which required coating powder particles, mixing sintering aids into powder, using binders containing expensive nanoparticles, or adding metals such as lead, tin and magnesium.
FACILITY
TAB Industries expands welding shop
Metalworking manufacturer TAB Industries LLC, Reading, Pennsylvania, installed three new welding workstations to meet high levels of current demand for its services. Expanding its in-house capacity by more than 300 percent, the new equipment comprises one MIG and two TIG workstations with welding fixtures, modular tables, accessories and storage racking, plus an electrostatic cleaning station for stainless steel. The welding department expansion represents an investment of nearly $40,000, implemented shortly after investing in a slate of new machinery and equipment to expand its in-house laser cutting and metal fabrication departments.
INSTALLATION
Andes Coil adds slitting line
Andes Coil Processors LLC, announced additional toll processing capacity has been added to its Dallas facility. A new 72-in. Braner custom slitting line has been installed, in addition to the current 60-in. slitting line, and is now operational. The new slitting line will process materials between .015 in.–.250 in. gauge and master coils measuring up to 78 in. (O.D.) with a 60,000-lb.-maximum coil weight.
SERVICE & SUPPORT
Banner Metals Group celebrates 100 years
Banner Metals Group, Columbus, Ohio, is celebrating 100 consecutive years in metal stamping and metal products. The Banner Die, Tool and Stamping Company began providing full-service metal stampings in the heart of Ohio in 1921 and currently serves the aerospace, automotive, commercial truck and off-highway, and lawn and garden industries.
INDUSTRY
Program helps manage costs, productivity
Weiler Abrasives, Cresco, Pennsylvania, is offering its Weiler Consumable Productivity program to help end users better manage their abrasives costs and increase productivity. The WCP program tests and evaluates abrasives to compare product life, reduce cycle times and increase efficiencies. The program involves time studies and observation of abrasive usage to gather quantitative data that can be measured and verified, leading to a repeatable solution. Weiler Abrasives representatives look at how abrasives are used, how long they last and how productive they are. It involves five steps: evaluating the value related to purchasing the abrasives; real-life testing at the company’s facility; establishing a baseline through testing; collecting data and establishing averages through product evaluation; and reviewing findings and creating an actionable plan. By comparing several products throughout the process, Weiler Abrasives provides a recommendation for the best, most productive abrasive for the application.
INSTALLATION
TrimLine installs AIDA servo press
AIDA-America, Dayton, Ohio, congratulates TrimLine, an IATF 16949 approved automotive supplier and high volume metal stamper in LaGrange, Ohio, on the installation of its new AIDA 630-ton progressive die direct drive servo press. This straightside tie-rod press features AIDA’s exclusive Allen-Bradley servo press control, 500 job recipe storage, an automatic counterbalance control, automatic slide adjustment, 32 programmable limit switch channels, 16 NPN/PNP die protection channels, a forward / reverse tonnage monitor, and a mezzanine. AIDA looks forward to working with TrimLine to optimize production as part of our servo application training program, supporting them on this press, and to our continued partnership.
PEOPLE
Bystronic appoints regional manager
Bystronic Inc., Hoffman Estates, Illinois, announced the hiring of Geoff Laughlin as regional sales manager for the Midwest territory. With over 25 years of diverse industry experience related to direct manufacturing, engineering, automation, sales and sales management, Geoff’s collective background and firsthand knowledge enables him to understand and articulate his client’s requirements into effective solutions. A strong asset to his customers, Geoff provides a rare combination of manufacturing experience and business management knowledge combined with the skills of a consulting engineer.
RESHORING
Reshoring competition announced
Companies that have successfully reshored products, parts or tooling made primarily by metalforming, fabricating, casting or machining, including additive manufacturing, are invited to apply. The Reshoring Initiative, PMA, NTMA and AMT are pleased to sponsor this competition. To be eligible for the award, the reshoring must have been done between January 1, 2013, and May 31, 2021, from outside North America to North America. Reshoring includes work that is produced either in-house or outsourced. Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2021. More information can be found at amtonline.org.
BUSINESS
Metal Impact announces acquisition
Metal Impact East LLC, Elk Grove Village, Illinois, announced the addition of the Luxfer Holdings PLC aluminum gas cylinders division. With this acquisition, Metal Impact acquires the manufacturing operations of Luxfer in Graham, North Carolina, as well as its catalog of products and services. The acquisition will more than double the cylinder capacity and manufacturing footprint of Metal Impact, supporting a more expansive line of cylinders for a broad range of markets, including industrial, food and beverage, fire extinguishing, performance racing, SCUBA, and life support.
PEOPLE
AIDA-America announces promotions
AIDA-America, Dayton, Ohio, recently promoted 
Josh Peace to materials planner and Matt Shetler 
to director of marketing. In his new role, Peace coordinates the purchasing, scheduling and inventory management of all assembly related parts and materials, as required for production, in order to fulfill customer requirements. Shetler is responsible for planning and implementation of all AIDA-America marketing efforts, as well as coordination with other AIDA Group companies.
Josh Peace to materials planner and Matt Shetler to director of marketing. In his new role, Peace coordinates the purchasing, scheduling and inventory management of all assembly related parts and materials, as required for production, in order to fulfill customer requirements. Shetler is responsible for planning and implementation of all AIDA-America marketing efforts, as well as coordination with other AIDA Group companies.
AIDA-America, Dayton, Ohio, recently promoted Josh Peace to materials planner and Matt Shetler to director of marketing. In his new role, Peace coordinates the purchasing, scheduling and inventory management of all assembly related parts and materials, as required for production, in order to fulfill customer requirements. Shetler is responsible for planning and implementation of all AIDA-America marketing efforts, as well as coordination with other AIDA Group companies.
SERVICE & SUPPORT
SAF celebrates 75 years
SAF, Atlanta, a global metals distributor, fabricator and finisher, is celebrating its 75th year in business. Since 1946, SAF has grown from a post-World War II pioneer in anodizing to a full-service aluminum finisher, extrusion and sheet distributor, and metal fabricator offering a complete line of architectural panels, column covers and exterior building systems. To commemorate the 75th anniversary, SAF is giving back to the community with a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a leader in type 1 diabetes research.
EDUCATION
AWS launches Take The Torch
Millennials represent more than a quarter of the world’s population. To help foster the next generation of young professionals in the welding industry, the American Welding Society announced a new membership initiative—Take the Torch. The goal of this initiative is to speak to the overall age gap in welding and to encourage the younger generation to step up and make an impact. With an aim at Millennials and Generation Z, the Take the Torch initiative reinforces that when you join AWS, you’re joining something bigger—not only for your personal benefit but for the greater good of the industry and the welding community. The Take the Torch initiative highlights how an AWS membership can pay for itself each year with the benefits and discounts available to members. From resources like certification, education and online peer communities to lesser-known benefits, like savings on technology, business book summaries and office supplies, Take the Torch breaks down the overall value of an AWS membership and solidifies AWS’s influence in the industry.
PEOPLE
BluTec Machinery adds territory manager
Joy Abbitt has joined MC Machinery, Elk Grove Village, Illinois, distributor BluTec Machinery, Hickory, North Carolina, as a Florida territory manager. BluTec Machinery is a distributor for MC Machinery’s complete line of Mitsubishi lasers, automation, press brakes and shears, covering Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, eastern Tennessee and part of West Virginia. Abbitt has worked in advanced machinery sales and service for the past seven years. A Navy veteran and graduate of the U.S. Naval Aviation Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Florida, Abbitt served on the U.S.S. Carl Vinson as an avionics technician on F-18 Super Hornet fighter jets.
INDUSTRY
Murata earns Intel award
Murata Machinery Ltd., Charlotte, North Carolina, has earned the Preferred Quality Supplier Award for 2020. Through its dedication to continuous quality improvement, Muratec has achieved a level of performance that consistently exceeds Intel’s expectations. The Intel PQS Award recognizes success in the Intel SCQI Program, a multiyear road map for continuous improvement for high-performing Intel suppliers. Of the thousands of Intel suppliers around the world, only a few hundred qualify to participate in the SCQI Program. The PQS Award is the second-highest honor a supplier can achieve. In 2020, only 26 suppliers in the entire Intel supply chain earned a Preferred Quality Supplier Award. To qualify for an Intel Preferred Quality Supplier Award, suppliers must exceed expectations, meet aggressive performance goals and score 80 percent or higher in performance assessments throughout the year. Suppliers must also meet 80 percent or more of their improvement plan and demonstrate outstanding quality and business systems.
ANNIVERSARY
American Alloy Steel celebrates 50 years
American Alloy Steel, Houston, was established in 1971 with a primary focus on providing customers with quality products and service. In June, American Alloy Steel celebrates its 50th anniversary. The company thanks its customers for their continued support and business. While the company has grown and added new locations, steel products and services such as in-house fabrication, the main focus remains the same—serving customers.
BUSINESS
Northern Tool + Equipment acquires Jacks Small Engines
Northern Tool + Equipment, Burnsville, Minnesota, retailer of tools and equipment, announced the acquisition of Jacks Small Engines, an online source for replacement parts for all major brands of engines, tools and power equipment. The move reinforces Northern Tool’s focus on driving growth while serving hardworking trades professionals and serious DIYers with the very best tools and equipment. Northern Tool’s acquisition builds on the company’s expertise in tools, equipment, engine and maintenance services, by offering customers millions of parts for maintenance and repair. In addition, it delivers a new dimension of support to its Parts, Service and Repair offering across its 120 retail stores.
INDUSTRY
SME honors 25 leaders
SME honored 25 leaders in smart manufacturing who are transforming the way the industry designs and produces goods. The leaders, who work at startups, large corporations, public-private partnerships and standards organizations, are successfully changing the pace and scope of technological adoption of smart manufacturing processes at the highest levels. Some in this group are advancing the integration of robots into their factories. Others are integrating artificial intelligence and augmented reality into work processes. Still others are using specialized cameras and machine vision for high-speed counting, vibration monitoring and predictive maintenance. All in this compilation were identified by SME Media’s Smart Manufacturing magazine in consultation with manufacturing experts from across a full range of industry segments and disciplines.
PEOPLE
AIDA-America announces hires
AIDA-America, Dayton, Ohio, recently hired in the areas of welding, machining and logistics, in addition to the following new employees: Mike Harper (left) was hired as customer service engineer and Steve Hawk was hired as installation supervisor. Harper installs, maintains, and repairs AIDA presses; performs inspections; and helps educate customers on appropriate maintenance and repairs. In addition to being closely involved with the manufacture and assembly of assigned presses, Hawk also supervises assemblers, riggers, subcontractors and auxiliary equipment installers during installations, ensuring that they go smoothly for customers.
BUSINESS
Lincoln Electric acquires Zeman Bauelemente
Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc., Cleveland, announced that it has acquired Zeman Bauelemente Produktionsgesellschaft m.b.H., a division of the Zeman Group. Headquartered in Vienna, Austria. Zeman Bauelemente is a designer and manufacturer of robotic assembly and arc welding systems that automate the tacking and welding of steel beams. Its systems are primarily sold under the Steel Beam Assembler name and serve customers in the structural steel and infrastructure sectors. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
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