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    Analysis

    August 17, 2023

    Lead Times Mostly Steady on Sheet, Shorten on Plate

    Written by Laura Miller

    Mill lead times for most sheet products this week were basically flat compared to SMU’s market check two weeks ago. Those for plate shortened once again.

    Steel buyers this week reported lead times for hot-rolled sheet ranging from 3 to 7 weeks. This week’s average of 4.64 weeks was little changed from the 4.58 weeks reported in the last market check two weeks earlier. HR lead times have remained below the 5-week threshold since the beginning of June.

    Laura Miller

    Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has held various editorial positions with steel industry publications, associations, and mills since 2007. She joined the SMU team in 2022. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

    Read more from Laura Miller

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