Market Data
April 16, 2026
SMU Survey: Sheet and plate lead times remain elevated
Written by Brett Linton
Steel mill lead times remained elevated this week, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey. Production times for sheet and plate products continue to hold at or near multi-year highs, where they have been for more than a month.
Sheet production times are a few days longer than they were three months ago, nearing the high levels last seen in late 2023 and early 2024. Plate production times have stretched by almost a week and a half since January and are now at their highest level in four and a half years.
