Newsletter 6 - May 2006

"Keeping you Informed"

Prices
Further increases have been announced as follows:

                                  1st May    1st June    Total       YTD

                                                                    2006       % increases

Merchant Bar             +£20         +£15        +£67       + 21%

Heavy sections         +£40          TBA        +£60       +18%

Hollow Section          By July prices will be +£100/t  +£30%

Other products reflect these increases and the general consensus is that unlike 2004 these increases, which are responding to European & World demand and supply trends, are being managed far better than in 2004 and therefore they will not be subjected to any sudden falls as in 2005. Time will tell, we still recommend that our customers place forward orders.

Demand
Our customers are reasonably busy but our suppliers are very busy with order books stretching in August/September. Securing your steel requirements is very important and we strongly recommend you contact us to avoid shortfalls.

Tomrods Limited

Laurence McDougall has now joined us on a full time basis and is already making a difference. A busy April trading has been followed by a slow start to May but we remain optimistic that demand will pick up.

On a personal note I managed to get a hole in one for the first time (the 3rd at Pannal G.C.), unfortunately it was a sunny day and there was a big turn out helping me to celebrate. Also we are delighted to announce that Dave Horsman's dog Snoopy got 4th prize in the veteran section at a local dog show - well done Snoopy, we always knew you were better looking than your master.

IIf you require any further information please give either myself or one of my sales colleagues a call.

Thankyou for reading this and if you have any comments about Tomrods Ltd or our wedsite please email the undersigned at jjohnt@tomrods.co.uk

John Thompson
Managing Director