Steel Mill Lead Times: Relatively Short

Mill lead times saw a small uptick following the mill price increases announced in late June and July, but have since reverted back to relatively short levels. Lead times for steel delivery are a measure of demand at the mill level. The shorter the lead time, the less busy the mills, and the more likely they are to discount prices.

The average lead time for hot rolled is now a bit less than four weeks, cold rolled is about five and a half weeks and coated steels are around six and a half weeks. Plate lead times are now less than four weeks. All are shorter than at this time last year.