Steel Mill Lead Times: Mixed Message

If the price increases announced by the mills over the past two months were gaining real traction, it should be showing up in lengthening mill lead times. According to Steel Market Update data, the impact on lead times has been mixed and minimal.

Lead times for steel delivery are a measure of demand at the mill level. The longer the lead time, the busier the order activity at the mills, and the less likely they are to discount prices. The average lead time for hot rolled is now a bit more than four weeks, cold rolled is about six weeks and coated steels are around six and a half weeks. Plate lead times are at four and a half weeks. All are shorter than at this time last year.