(by Mike Mechley, Executive VP of Strategic Procurement, www.ZekelmanIndustries.com) Platts March HR Coil is $1,243, up $53 from Feb. Lost production in the south due to cold weather, planned and unplanned maintenance, trucker’s shortage continues to make steel availability tight. Most mills still have significant delinquencies. NLMK Pa settles strike and workers return. JSW restarts electric furnace to make slabs. Imports increasing but remain relatively low. HR leadtime 8-10weeks, CR leadtime 9-12weeks. US Mills capacity utilization rate is 77.4%. Platts March CR Coil is $1,450, up $86 from Feb. Zinc is $1.25lb. March Chicago #1 Bush $550, up $70 from Feb. $1 U.S. Dollar = $1.27 Canadian Dollar.