Steel Mill Lead Times: Mixed Readings

Mill lead times for spot orders of flat rolled steel may be starting to level out after lengthening week after week since early November. The latest data shows slightly longer lead times for cold rolled and galvanized products, but slightly shorter lead times for hot rolled, Galvalume and plate. Lead times for steel delivery are a measure of demand at the mill level. The longer the lead time, the busier the mill.

The average lead time for hot rolled steel is now at more than four and a half weeks, cold rolled is nearly six and a half weeks and coated steels are around seven weeks. Plate lead times are at four and a half weeks, according to data gathered by Steel Market Update this week.