US service center steel shipments declined almost 8% from February a year ago while declines in US service center aluminum shipments declined by just over 12%. Both aluminum and steel shipment decreases in Canada were in the double digits. Inventory levels remained low in the United States, but rose slightly in Canada.

US service center activity;
In February, 114,300 tonnes of aluminum products were shipped by US service centers, a decrease of 12.1% from the same month in 2012. For 2013 year to date aluminum shipments were 240,400 tonnes a decrease of 8.8% from the same period in 2012.

Inventories of aluminum products were 363,100,000 tonnes at the end of February 2013, a decrease of 3.1% over February a year ago and a decrease of 0.9% from last month. At the current shipping rate, this represents 3.2 months of supply in inventory an increase of 10.3% from a year ago.

Canadian Service Center Activity;
In February, 11,900 tonnes of aluminum products were shipped by Canadian service centers, a decrease of 11.9% from the same month in 2012. For 2013, year to date aluminum shipments were 25,500 tonnes, a decrease of 7.4% from the same period in 2012.

Inventories of aluminum products were 38,200 tonnes at the end of February 2013, an increase of 9.7% from February a year ago and a decrease of 6.3% from last month. At the current shipping rate, this represents 3.2 months of supply in inventory an increase of 24.5% from a year ago.