SMU Data and Models
August 5, 2021
Mill Lead Times/Negotiations: No Significant Change
Written by Tim Triplett
Steel Market Update’s check of the market this week shows no significant change in lead times for deliveries of spot orders from the mills. Average lead times for hot rolled orders remain above 10 weeks, while those for cold rolled and coated products are still above 12 weeks – at least twice as long as normal. SMU is keeping a close eye out for any shortening of lead times, which would signal a change in market conditions that could presage lower steel prices. There are no signs of that yet.
Lead times for hot rolled now average 10.67 weeks, up slightly from 10.36 weeks in the last survey. Cold rolled lead times inched up to 12.17 weeks from 12.11 two weeks ago. At 12.45 weeks, lead times for galvanized products are down slightly from 12.68 weeks earlier this month. Lead times for spot orders of Galvalume have dipped to 13.22 weeks from 13.67. Average plate lead times also saw a small downtick to 9.83 weeks, from 9.90.
