. General Overview Basic Metals and Metal Products Sectors1

 

Sales of basic metals and metal products sectors are essentially for the domestic market. A critical aspect of these sectors is the pricing and commodity-related aspect of the raw materials. Prices are governed by world markets as it is typical of all commodities, and these have been somewhat volatile over the last years.

Overall sales revenue of these two sectors amounted to about 41 Billion Shekels in 2007 an increase of 3.5% compared to 2006.

The domestic market for basic metals and metal products face strong competition from imported goods particularly from China, Turkey and Eastern Europe.

Total employees in the basic metals and metal product sectors were about 57,000 in 2007.

 

.Basic Metals 2

1). General.

Overall sales revenue from the basic metals sector reached about 8.0 Billion Shekels in 2007, an increase of 11% compared to 2007   partly due to the sharp rise in raw materials prices.

Export sales revenue from the basic metals sector amounted to about 605 Million Dollars in 2007.

Total employees in the basic metals sector were about 5,700. Basic metals industries sector includes following sub-sectors:-

 

2). Manufacture of basic iron and steel, recycling of metal waste and scrap, steel  foundries and iron  casting

 

a). Steel factories for the construction industry, manufacture of wire and wire products and scrap processing factories. Manufacture of rolled cans and profiles from iron

 

Steel manufacturing for construction is conducted by two major companies - Yehuda Steel and Hod which manufacture steel bars and coils for construction

There are several companies specializing in processed construction steel such as cutting, bending and the manufacture of welded steel wire.

Several companies are active in the scrap processing business and process scrap steel for domestic and export markets. There are several companies specializing in manufacture of rolled cans and profiles from iron.

 

 

 

b). Steel Casting is a major product in the metals field with at least 10 large and medium companies activated in this sub-sector. Imports from China compete heavily with local manufacturers.

Following the world-wide price hikes and the increased demand in the construction sector revenues in this sub-sector have increased sharply in 2007.

 

c). Cast Iron

Exports of cast iron increased dramatically during 2007, mainly due to the increase of raw materials prices.

 

  2). Aluminum and non-metallic metal products companies

 

 a). Aluminum processing industries

Sector sales to domestic market increased as a result of the growth in the construction sector, and a subsequent increase in export markets. This trend can be also explained by the sharp rise in aluminum (commodity) prices worldwide.

 

 b). Non-metallic casting (excluding aluminum)

Export revenues in this sub-sector have increased both in 2006 and 2007, mainly due to the sharp rise in base metal prices.

 

3. Metal Products Industries

1). General

Overall sales revenue from metal products sector amounted to about   33.0 Billion Shekels in 2007, an increase of 2.0% compared to 2006.

Export sales revenue from metal products sector amounted to about  1,723 Million Dollars in 2007.

Total employees in the metal products sector were about 51,300. Metal products industries sector includes following sub-sectors:-  

 

2).Metal processing industries

 

a).  Locksmiths and manufacturers of metal security doors

Companies involved in this field mainly sell to export markets.

In 2007 there has been noted some increase in exports as a result of greater demand from European and U.S. markets.

 

b) Stainless steel processing factories, screws and nails, compressed products

In these sub-sectors there are several key manufacturers witch are concentrating in the export market.

In 2007 there has been noted a slightly increase of 4% in exports in this sub-sector.

 

     3). Manufacture of cutting and hand tools

This sub-sector includes a variety of  products such as hand tools cutting equipment, machinery for metal workshops, accessories for machine tools, cutting equipment for the metals industry, software for cutting equipment, sharpening and polishing equipment and diamond aided cutting tools. The Yiscar industries company is the leading manufacturer in this field.

Exports levels rose from about 705 million dollars in 2006, to 853 million dollars in 2007..

.

 

4). Water accessory equipment, desalinization plants, pipes and plumbing equipment

In this category there are factories which manufacture water filtering systems, automatic plugging devices; plumbing accessories, water desalinization plants and miscellaneous plumbing fixtures.

Export levels rose from about 405 million dollars in 2006, to 525 million dollars in 2007.

 

5). Metal greenhouse products and management of construction of greenhouses projects

This area includes products as well as project management of construction of greenhouses. This field which is based mainly on exports is sensitive to fluctuations.