SMU Data and Models

Steel Mill Lead Times Continue to Move Out
Written by John Packard
April 7, 2016
Steel mill lead times on all four flat rolled products have become more extended, according to those who responded to our most recent flat rolled steel market analysis. As lead times extend, steel buyers have to place more orders in order to protect their inventories. The more orders placed, the better chance for the domestic steel mills to collect higher flat rolled steel spot prices.
As our regular readers know, Steel Market Update writes articles about flat rolled steel mill lead times based on two sources: our twice monthly surveys and directly from steel buyers who receive lead time sheets from the mills (or receive them verbally). The following data is based on the lead times collected from our latest survey which concluded on Thursday (earlier today) of this week.
Hot rolled lead times averaged out to 4.59 weeks, 0.69 weeks higher than our last survey. This time last year they were 2.91 weeks.
The average lead time for cold rolled was 7.12 weeks, up from 6.60 in mid-March. One year ago lead times were 4.82 weeks.
Galvanized lead times were steady at 7.33 weeks. This time last year they were 5.24 weeks.
Galvalume lead times averaged 7.00 weeks, up 0.40 weeks from our last survey. One year ago they were 5.75 weeks.
To see an interactive history of our Steel Mill Lead Time data, visit our website here.

John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in SMU Data and Models

SMU Survey: Steel Buyers’ Sentiment indicates increased optimism
After reaching multi-month lows in mid-January, SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices rebounded this week to some of the highest readings recorded in months.

SMU Survey: Mill lead times fluctuate, extensions expected
While we have seen some movements in recent weeks, steel mill production times remain within a few days of the historical lows observed over the last two years, a trend observed since mid-2024.

SMU Survey: Mills less willing to negotiate on prices
Steel mill negotiation rates have declined in each of our last two surveys; this week’s rate is the lowest recorded since March 2024.

SMU’s January at a glance
SMU’s Monthly Review provides a summary of important steel market metrics for the previous month. Our latest report includes data updated through January 31st.

Steelmaking raw material prices mixed in January
Prices for the seven steelmaking raw materials SMU tracks moved in differing directions from December to January, according to our latest analysis.