SMU Data and Models

Steel Mill Lead Times: Slightly Shorter
Written by Tim Triplett
April 18, 2019
Average lead times for spot orders of steel, including all types of products, have shortened slightly in the past two weeks. Hot rolled lead times now average around four weeks, cold rolled and Galvalume around six weeks, and galvanized down to nearly six and a half weeks. Lead times for plate are now less than six weeks, according to Steel Market Update data.
Lead times for steel delivery are a measure of demand at the mill level. The shorter the lead time, the less busy the mill and the more likely they are to negotiate on price. (The latest SMU data shows that most mills are open to price negotiations in the current environment; see related story in this issue.)
Hot rolled lead times now average 4.13 weeks, down from 4.28 weeks reported in early April. Current lead times for hot rolled are well below the 5.68 weeks at this time last year when steel was in strong demand.
Cold rolled orders currently have a lead time of 6.10 weeks, down from 6.57 weeks just two weeks ago. Cold rolled lead times at this time last year stretched to 7.75 weeks.
Average lead times for galvanized dipped to 6.65 weeks from 6.96 weeks in SMU’s last market canvass. Galvanized lead times were considerably longer at around 8.13 weeks in early April 2018. The current average lead time for spot orders of Galvalume is around 6.00 weeks, down from 6.30 weeks in the last poll.
Lead times for spot orders of plate steel now average 5.80 weeks, down from 6.25 weeks as measured by SMU two weeks ago.
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 Survey: Sentiment inches up from low levels
SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices ticked higher this week, according to the latest data from our flat-rolled steel survey.

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 hold steady
Sheet and plate lead times held steady yet again this week, according to steel buyers responding to our latest market survey, a trend in place since May.

SMU Survey: Most buyers say mills remain negotiable on prices
The majority of steel buyers responding to this week’s market survey continue to report that mills are open to negotiating spot prices on sheet and plate products.

SMU Survey: Current Sentiment tumbles on tariffs, uncertainty, soft demand
SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices moved in opposing directions this week. Our Current Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Index dropped to one of the lowest levels recorded in over five years, while Future Buyers’ Sentiment inched higher.