Discuss the trends in the steel industry and how it may impact Nucor’s strategy. After the 2008 financial and economic crisis, the world steel industry’s recovery has been uneven, but it is recovering faster than expected. The global steel production declined from 129 million metric tons (mmt) in March 2011 to 127 million metric tons in April 2011. However, production increased 5 percent from April 2010. As of the April 2011 first quarter reporting, the United States has produced 28.3 mmt, which is up 6.8% from the same period last year [ (Leybovich, 2011) ]. “In a report earlier this month, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECO) forecasts that global demand for steel would increase 6 percent in both 2011 and 2012. Growth over the next few years is expected to be considerably faster in emerging markets than in developed ones [ (Leybovich, 2011) ].” Nucor is the second largest steel producer in the United States, only behind U.S. Steel. Nucor is considered a low-cost steel producer in the U.S. and the most efficient and technologically advanced steel producer in the world [ (Thompson/Strickland/Gamble, 2010) ]. Nucor is North America’s largest recycler, 17 million tons in 2010, and uses the scrap steel as the raw material to produce steel and steel products [ (SEC filings Nucor Corporation Form 10-K, 2011) ]. Employing multiple approaches, Nucor’s growth strategy is flexible and allows them to capitalize on the growth potential. “The four prongs of that growth strategy have been: (1) optimizing existing operations, (2) growing through developing greenfield projects that capitalize on new technologies and unique marketplace opportunities, (3) acquiring other companies that will strengthen Nucor's position as North America's most diversified producer of
