Steel Mill Lead Times: HR Unexpectedly Shorter

Lead times for spot orders of hot rolled steel have shortened a bit in the past month, which is somewhat unexpected, while delivery times for other flat rolled products have seen small ups and downs as the market searches for a stable footing.

Hot rolled lead times now average 3.59 weeks, down from 3.73 two weeks ago and 3.91 a month ago, according to Steel Market Update’s last three checks of the market. Lead times, especially in the commodity hot rolled segment, were widely expected to lengthen as coronavirus restrictions were lifted and the mills got busier. That the opposite has occurred suggests the market’s recovery still has a way to go.