SMU Data and Models
December 22, 2020
Steel Mill Lead Times: Hot Rolled Extends to Eight Weeks
Written by Tim Triplett
Steel Market Update’s check of the market a few days before Christmas shows no let-up in steel demand, as prices continue to rise and lead times continue to extend. With steel supplies remaining extremely tight, lead times for deliveries of hot rolled have stretched to more than eight weeks and coated steel orders to around 10 weeks. Lead times are an indicator of steel demand—longer lead times mean the mills are busy and less likely to negotiate on price.
Current hot rolled lead times average 8.24 weeks, up from 7.31 two weeks ago. HR lead times have extended by five weeks since hitting 3.25 weeks at the low point in April.
