Market Data
Steel Mill Lead Times
Written by John Packard
October 29, 2017
We did a quick check of lead times at a number of domestic steel mills on Friday of this past week. This is what we learned:
Steel Dynamics Industries (SDI) – Butler, Ind.
HR – closed for November production
Pickled – closed for November production
CR – closed for November production
HRG – 11/20 (4 weeks)
CRG – Closed for November Production
The Techs (Coating Mills Owned by SDI)
All three locations (Metaltech, Galvtech, Nextech) – 12/4 (6 weeks)
Steel Dynamics Industries (SDI) – Columbus, Miss.
HR – closed for November production
Pickled – closed for November production
CR – closed for November production
HRG – 11/27 (5 weeks)
CRG – 11/27 (5 weeks)
NLMK USA
HR (Portage) – 11/27 (5 weeks)
CR (Farrell) – 12/4 (6 weeks)
Galv (Sharon Coatings) – 12/4 (6 weeks)
Big River Steel
HR – Closed to 2018 (contract tons for HR for 2018 closed)
CSN (Terre Haute)
Galv – November is closed
Nucor Berkeley
HR – 7-8 weeks
CR – January 2018 – 10-12 weeks
Galv – Late December/early January – 8-10 weeks
Nucor Hickman
HR – 5+ weeks
North Star BlueScope Steel
HR – December – 6-7 weeks
California Steel Industries (CSI)
Down for maintenance Nov. 22 through Dec. 4, 2017
HR – limited availability
CR – limited availability
Galv – Closed Until 2018
Ternium (Louisiana)
AZ – minor tons left for November, December book about half full
Wheeling Nisshin
Galv/AZ – Late December – (9-10 weeks)
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Market Data
Chicago Business Barometer improves but still contracts in October
The Chicago Business Barometer’s October reading still indicates a cooling in general business activity despite posting a surprise gain.
Drilling activity slows at October’s end in US and Canada
The latest Baker Hughes rig count report showed oil and gas drilling slowing in both the US and Canada last week.
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 Steel Demand Index improves but remains in contraction
SMU’s Steel Demand Index remains in contraction, according to late October indicators. Though growth faded at a slower pace, it rebounded from one of the lowest readings year-to-date from earlier in the month.
SMU Mill Order Index fell in September
SMU’s Mill Order Index declined in September after repeated gains from June through August. The shift came as service center shipping rates and inventories fell.