SMU Survey: Sheet lead times inch up, plate moves lower

Sheet and plate lead times moved in opposite directions this week, according to SMU’s latest market survey. Sheet times ticked higher but remain within days of multi-year lows, territory they have been in since May. Plate lead times have shifted lower in the past month but remain about a week longer than they were at this time last year.

The average lead time for hot-rolled coil is four and a half weeks. Cold-rolled and coated products are all in the mid-to-upper six-week range. Plate is just over five weeks.