Note 4: Inventory

Our raw material and starting stock inventory is primarily comprised of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal and alloys such as nickel, chrome, molybdenum, cobalt and copper. Our semi-finished and finished steel products are work-in-process in various stages of production or are finished products waiting to be shipped to our customers. Operating materials are primarily comprised of forge dies and production molds and rolls that are consumed over their useful lives. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, we amortized these operating materials in the amount of $1.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively. This expense is recorded as a component of cost of products sold on the consolidated statements of operations and included as a part of our total depreciation and amortization on the consolidated statements of cash flows. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost principally determined on a weighted average cost method. Such costs include the acquisition cost for raw materials and supplies, direct labor and applied manufacturing overhead. We assess market based upon actual and estimated transactions at or around the balance sheet date. Typically, we reserve for slow-moving inventory and inventory that is being evaluated under our quality control process. The reserves are based upon management’s expected method of disposition. Inventories consisted of the following:

	September 30,		December 31,
(in thousands)	2018		2017

Raw materials and starting stock	$	11,448	$	8,527
Semi-finished and finished steel products		102,189		99,820
Operating materials		11,973		10,850

Gross inventory		125,610		119,197
Inventory reserves		(2,771)		(2,534)

Total inventory, net	$	122,839	$	116,663