Death metal: B2B loses another gig

NEWS Another online metal exchange has bitten the dust due to high running costs and a serious lack of customers. MetalSpectrum, an Atlanta-based company, was launched in May 2000 and had managed to gain significant financial backing from speciality metal companies. However, it was unable to rouse customer interest. The site ceased operations yesterday and is not alone in its demise. It joins fellow online metal exchange MetalSite on the B2B scrap heap. MetalSite shut up shop last week with the loss of 72 jobs. Furthermore, this is not a problem affecting the metal industry alone. The e-marketplace industry continues to struggle to attract buyers and suppliers comfortable with trading in this way.