SMU Data and Models
Steel Mill Lead Times: Flat for Past 4 Months
Written by Tim Triplett
September 21, 2017
Flat rolled steel lead times have been relatively flat going back to early May 2017, according to the service centers and manufacturing companies who participated in the Steel Market Update (SMU) flat rolled market trends survey this week. Lead time, which is the amount of time it takes for the domestic steel mills to produce a new order from the time the order was placed, have been averaging close to four weeks for hot rolled, six weeks for cold rolled, six and a half weeks for galvanized, and Galvalume has been averaging six weeks.
Hot rolled lead times were reported to be averaging just under four weeks (3.83 weeks); one month ago HRC lead times averaged 4.25 weeks and one year ago they averaged just over 3 weeks (3.11 weeks).
Cold rolled lead times hung around six weeks (6.13 weeks), which is unchanged from one month ago, but like HRC is slightly better than the 5.38 weeks reported at this time one year ago.
Galvanized lead times are averaging six and a half weeks (6.45 weeks) again, unchanged from one month ago and slightly better than the 5.84 weeks reported one year ago.
Galvalume lead times shrunk to just under six weeks (5.90 weeks); one month ago we saw lead times averaging 6.64 weeks. One year ago AZ lead times were reported as averaging 6.33 weeks.
Note: These lead times are based on the average from manufacturers and steel service centers who 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. To see an interactive history of our Steel Mill Lead Times data, visit our website here.
Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in SMU Data and Models
SMU Scrap Survey: Current and Future Sentiment tick down
SMU’s Current Sentiment Index for scrap decreased this month, a move mirrored by our Future Sentiment Index, according to the latest data from our ferrous scrap survey.
SMU Survey: Buyers’ Sentiment slips again, future outlook improves
Each of our Sentiment Indices continues to reflect that steel buyers are positive about their present and future business prospects, though that confidence has eased considerably compared to the beginning of the year.
SMU scrap market survey results now available
SMU’s October ferrous scrap market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.
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.
SMU Survey: Sheet and plate lead times stabilize
Sheet and plate lead times saw minor shifts this week, according to SMU’s latest market survey. Sheet times have inched up over the last month but remain within days of multi-year lows, as they have since May. Plate lead times have bobbed within a tight range for months, hovering roughly a week longer than this time last year.