Steel Products
Mill Lead Times Shorter - Affecting Negotiations
Written by John Packard
February 22, 2013
Based on the results of this week’s survey, lead times on hot rolled and cold rolled slid slightly compared to where they were at the beginning of the month. We found aluminized to have dropped by slightly more than half a week from 6.40 weeks down to 5.83 weeks while galvanized lead times actually increased slightly.
SMU lead times, which are weighted averages based on responses from manufacturers and service centers, are much shorter on hot rolled, cold rolled and galvanized compared to this time last year. Galvalume lead times are only slightly shorter than what we measured during the middle of February 2012 (also see graph at the end of this article).
With the shortened lead times our survey found the domestic mills as willing to negotiate pricing on all four flat rolled products (see below).
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products
US rig count slips, Canada ticks higher
ncreases through September, according to the latest Baker Hughes rig count data.
CRU: EC to toughen steel safeguards
The European Commission proposes cutting its steel import quota by almost half, with volumes exceeding the limit facing 50% duties. The region’s steel industry welcomes the move, while other steel-producing nations fear the consequences. CRU published an insight before this announcement, noting that more restrictive trade policy could significantly raise the cost of marginal supply […]
US and Canadian rig counts stabilize
US counts continue to hover just above historic lows, while Canadian figures remain comparatively healthy.
Plate market sources critique mill hikes amid current market conditions
Following spot market plate price increase notices issued by domestic mills this past week, participants are contemplating the rationale behind the increases and whether they will stick. Some sources anticipate that current market conditions will shift in November and believe the increases may set a new "pricing floor."
Oregon Steel Mills lifts plate prices by $60/ton
Oregon Steel Mills has joined other producers in announcing a price increase of at least $60 per short ton on steel plate.