SMU Data and Models
November 21, 2019
Steel Mill Lead Times: Lengthen by a Week
Written by Tim Triplett
Mill lead times for spot orders of flat rolled steel have lengthened by roughly a week following the mills’ price increase announcements over the past month. Lead times for steel delivery are a measure of demand at the mill level. Thus, this data indicates the mills have gotten busier as buyers step up to place orders ahead of increasing prices.
The average lead time for hot rolled steel is now up to more than four and a half weeks, cold rolled is over six weeks and coated steels are around seven weeks. Plate lead times are up to more than four and a half weeks, according to data gathered by Steel Market Update this week.
