Bethlehem Steel Corp. announced price increases ranging...

Bethlehem Steel Corp. announced price increases ranging from 3.5% to 5.5% on several types of widely used flat rolled steel. Bethlehem said the increases take effect Jan. 1, giving customers time to plan for the higher prices. Bethlehem said the per-ton price of hot rolled sheets will rise by $15, or 3.5%, to $445, while the prices of cold rolled and coated sheets will rise by $30 a ton, or up to 5.5%, to as high as $651. Flat rolled steel is used in a variety of manufactured goods, including office furniture and appliances.