SMU Data and Models
June 24, 2021
Mill Lead Times/Negotiations: Flat Rolled Inches Higher Again
Written by Tim Triplett
As it turns out, the slight downturn seen in steel mill lead times last month was not the beginning of a trend change. Lead times for all products but plate have inched higher in the last two weeks, indicating no relief yet from the tight supplies that continue to push steel prices higher.
According to SMU’s check of the market this week, lead times for hot rolled now average 10.74 weeks, up slightly from 10.50 weeks in the last survey. Cold rolled lead times rose to 12.46 weeks from 12.18. At 13.26 weeks, lead times for galvanized products bumped up from 12.92 weeks late last month. Lead times for spot orders of Galvalume have stretched to 14.42 weeks from 13.45.
