SMU Data and Models

Steel Mill Lead Times Flat
Written by John Packard
July 20, 2017
Flat rolled lead times remain flat compared to what we reported for early July, as well as one month ago.
Twice per month, Steel Market Update conducts an analysis of the flat rolled sheet and plate markets. This is done through the use of a comprehensive questionnaire focused on manufacturing companies and service centers, which combined account for 86 percent of the total responses received. However, when looking at lead times, we restrict the responses to only manufacturers and distributors. We do not invite steel mills, trading companies and toll processors to participate in our lead time questions.
The lead times we reference below come through our survey process and are an average of the responses seen. For exact lead times from any specific mills, contact your local representatives.
Hot rolled lead times continue to be in the low to mid 4-week time frame (4.25 weeks). This is similar to what we saw one year ago when lead times were reported to be averaging 4.00 weeks.
Cold rolled lead times are approximately 6.5 weeks (6.38 weeks), which is very similar to what we reported one year ago (6.63 weeks).
Galvanized lead times were slightly lower than what we saw at the beginning of this month. This week our average lead time on GI is 6.56 weeks vs. the 6.84 weeks reported at the beginning of the month. One year ago, lead time average on GI was 7.38 weeks.
Galvalume lead times averaged 6.33 weeks, almost the same as what we reported at the beginning of July (6.30 weeks). One year ago, AZ lead times were 7.11 weeks.
Note: These lead times are based on the average from manufacturers and steel service centers that participated in this week’s SMU market trends analysis. Our lead times do not predict what any individual may get from any specific mill supplier. Look to your mill rep for actual lead times. Our lead times are meant only to identify trends and changes in the marketplace.

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

SMU flat-rolled market survey results now available
SMU’s latest steel buyers market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members. After logging in at steelmarketupdate.com, visit the pricing and analysis tab and look under the “survey results” section for “latest survey results.” Past survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the survey results, or if […]

SMU Survey: Buyers’ Sentiment rises but caution remains
After reaching multi-month lows in mid-May, SMU’s Buyers’ Sentiment Indices modestly recovered in our latest survey.

SMU Survey: Sheet lead times fall to multi-year low
Mill lead times shrunk this week for all of the sheet products tracked by SMU and held steady on plate, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey.

SMU Survey: Mill willingness to negotiate keeps on climbing
Most steel buyers responding to our latest market survey report that domestic mills are willing to talk price to secure new orders. Mill negotiability has continued to rise across all sheet and plate products we track, now at some of the highest levels recorded since late 2024.

Steelmaking raw material costs mixed through May
According to our latest analysis, prices for four of the seven steelmaking raw materials we track increased from April to May. However, select materials saw a collective 1% decline month over month and are down 4% compared to three months ago.