http://www.michelleapplebaum.com/blog/?p=1238 Analytical Steel Industry Expertise Fri, 02 May 2014 06:00:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://www.michelleapplebaum.com/blog/?p=1238#comment-352 Sat, 19 May 2012 11:51:49 +0000 http://www.michelleapplebaum.com/blog/?p=1238#comment-352 The Brazilian Steel Market is gradually becoming more Independent from local manufacturers, as local OEMs got used to import High Quality and cheaper steel from South Korea, China and other different origins, at more competitive prices, which means that there is a permanent price war. On the other hand, Brazilian Economy is showing signs of weakeness and risk of inflation, caused by recent Government measures to protect its currency, which substantially reduced foreign investiments, Stock Market dropped 20% in a short period of time, also influenced by Greece and the Euro. Therefore, in spite of CSN showing better results than Usiminas, due to its stronger costs foundation, the Brazilian Steel Industry is no longer competitive, as it used to be, with lack of investments on Quality improvemnt and New Technologies, high costs of its own raw material, sold at Market price, and high salaries, pushed by blackout and lack of talents.

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