Samples of Latest Spot Mill Lead Times

We are seeing a divergence in the normal spread between hot rolled lead times and those of cold rolled and coated products. Normally, we would see HRC lead times at just a couple of weeks less than that of the other “higher value” products. With the demise of the energy segment of the industry that relationship has been upset as cold rolled and coated lead times are extending while HRC languishes in that 2-4 week range at many mills.

The Steel Dynamics Butler facility is quoting a hot rolled lead time the week ending February 5th (2 weeks) while their order books for cold rolled and galvanized are closed.  The SDI Columbus mill is out one extra week on hot rolled (3 weeks) and has cold rolled fully processed at 6 weeks (week ending March 5) and galvanized the week ending February 27th (5 weeks). However, when looking at SDI lead times you need to remember that as a company they try to keep lead times short on purpose for their customers.