SMU Data and Models
February 8, 2018
SMU Market Trends: Flat Roll Lead Times Extending
Written by Tim Triplett
Mill lead times on flat roll continue to extend as buyers order steel ahead of further price increases. The latest data from Steel Market Update’s market trends questionnaire indicates that the average lead time for hot roll has now topped five weeks, while lead times for cold roll, galvanized and Galvalume are now approximately seven weeks.
One of the key indicators tracked by SMU, lead times reflect the activity at the mills and the order levels they are seeing from their customers. Lead times have been lengthening steadily since November through four rounds of mill price increases, reflecting buoyant demand as 2018 gets off to a strong start.
