SMU Data and Models
December 19, 2013
Mill Lead Times & Mill Negotiations: Still Tight (signs of loosening?)
Written by John Packard
Lead times continue to be longer than normal with hot rolled averaging more than 4 weeks (4.23 weeks), cold rolled exceeding 6 weeks (6.04 weeks), galvanized at 6.51 weeks and Galvalume averaging 6.83 weeks. All of the flat rolled steel lead times measured this week are extended compared to last year during the middle of December. Our survey respondents are reporting galvanized as having the biggest change compared to last year having added a full week to its average.
