SMU Survey: Steel mill lead times show diverging trends

Buyers responding to our latest market survey reported that sheet lead times continue to gradually decline from recent highs. Meanwhile, plate lead times increased to levels last seen one year ago.

Steel mill production times had been extending since early February, when a tariff-induced buying surge prompted many buyers to pull forward future orders. As of this week, lead times are roughly a week and a half longer than the lows seen over the past year.