The lead time is one of the most important factors in every industry, from construction to manufacturing. It can have a huge impact on many crucial things, including costs, the timeframe, and competitiveness. However, a number of variables influence it and make it tricky to calculate. We want to have a closer look here, looking specifically at coil and how it can affect tubing supplies. Then, if you want to order ERW steel tubes in the West Midlands, you can rely on us to provide a fast turnaround in most cases.
Core product
The crucial thing to keep in mind is manufacturers can’t create ERW tube without first receiving the steel coil. As a result, any delays in making it and shipping can make the lead time longer.
One of the first causes of problems is delays at the melt mill. This is where a huge number of different products begin their life. Manufacturers produce massive batches of molten steel. They can vary in terms of the alloy, from mild steel to stainless and niche alloys.
The scheduling at the melt mill affects the lead time. Generally mills will schedule batches of common alloys more frequently while specialist materials take longer to get scheduled. So, the lead time can vary massively. Notably, most mills will try to schedule so groups of alloys and coil gauges can be made together to minimise the time it takes for changeovers. Talk to us about ordering ERW steel tubes in the West Midlands.
After a batch of molten steel is made, several processes are necessary to make it into coil. This includes rolling, annealing, and different types of treatment. It can all have an effect on the lead time. It depends on the type of steel and the end requirements. If you need custom processing at a mill, it will take longer.
Sourcing
As you can see, the process of making the coil itself has a big impact on lead times. Where you source it from matters too. Shipping heavy goods like steel can take a lot of time. If there are delays here, it can cause chaos.
One of the most important things to look at is regional vs global sourcing. If you can work with a local melt mill and rolling partner, the lead time can be shorter. However, if they are overseas, it can take much longer. There are more factors to worry about here, such as the shipping times, tariffs, and spikes in demand.
It’s also crucial to look at stocking. The lead time will always be smaller if you work with a business that has the coil you need in stock. Service centres can be fantastic in this regard because they tend to have inventories of common types of steel. If you need custom coil to meet specific criteria, it will take longer to make.
The fast way to order ERW steel tubes in the West Midlands
Union Steel Tubes is a company that fully understands how vital the lead time is. If it’s short, it has a big impact on costs and efficiency. However, delays can be costly. We focus on this and do our best to provide the most efficient services. Crucially, we keep common specifications of tubing in stock ready to cut to order. It ensures we can have them ready to deliver or collect very quickly.
So, if you want to order from the leading name for ERW steel tubes in the West Midlands, contact us. We’re reliable and efficient to make it easier for you to schedule the rest of your project, consider costs, and other key things.
