Steel Mill Lead Times: Inch Out Further

After a brief hesitation early in the month, mill lead times for spot orders of flat rolled steel have continued to increase. The latest data shows slightly longer lead times for all flat rolled products except for Galvalume. Plate lead times have extended, as well. 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 nearly five weeks, cold rolled is six and a half weeks and coated steels are less than seven weeks. Plate lead times are at more than four and a half weeks, according to data gathered by Steel Market Update this week.