Speaking on the sidelines of the 17th METALEX Isfahan Exhibition, Mohammad Hossein Jafarian, Head of Exchange Sales and Service Centers at Mobarakeh Steel Company, defined resilience as “the ability to create and maintain lasting trust in customers’ minds.” He explained that such trust is built on two key pillars: consistent product quality and uninterrupted supply, even in times of crisis.
He described specialized exhibitions as unique opportunities for collaboration and emphasized that Mobarakeh Steel uses each event to showcase its innovations, development projects, and operational capabilities to industry professionals and market stakeholders.
Highlighting the severe and unpredictable fluctuations of the domestic economy, Jafarian stressed the need for flexibility in sales and support systems. He pointed out that Mobarakeh Steel has addressed this need by deploying a nationwide online sales and support platform, assuring customers that their requirements will be met on time and with guaranteed quality — even when global supply chains face disruption.
Discussing global market trends, he said that the summer 2025 steel market has been far from attractive. In Europe, hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices saw only limited growth due to expectations of new carbon regulations such as CBAM, which will take effect in 2026, while demand in major sectors such as automotive and construction remained sluggish. In contrast, the U.S. market is grappling with falling demand and oversupply, prompting producers to lower base prices to stimulate purchases. Meanwhile, the Chinese market, after a slight price dip, remains relatively stable but slow-moving, as high inventory levels and cautious buyers continue to limit trading activity.
“In such an environment, where many global producers have limited room to maneuver, Mobarakeh Steel has turned speed and accessibility into a key competitive advantage by leveraging its nationwide network of service centers,” Jafarian said. “These centers are not just product suppliers but strategic partners, offering a wide range of services, the shortest delivery times, and real-time responses to market needs.”
He added that maintaining and growing market share during a global slowdown requires smart supply chain management and identifying export opportunities — even in markets with limited demand. Experience has shown, he noted, that flexible sales channels and compliance with destination market standards are essential to sustaining profitability.
Jafarian concluded by saying that resilience in today’s steel industry is no longer merely a defensive concept but has become an offensive strategy — especially when supported by digital technologies, market data analytics, and process automation to enable faster and more accurate decision-making.