We actually had to check the date of this article to see if we were reading something from last year. Unfortunately, it was dated August 2021.
What
does this mean in terms of US manufacturing? Shipping delays, increased
pricing, lower stock levels, and what was hoped to be a short-term crunch now
looks like it will have a material impact well into 2022.
The
good news is that over the last 18 months at Comstar, we’ve learned some
valuable lessons shared among manufacturers, distributors, and
contractors/service providers. We’ve already detailed why it’s critical to have
a pre-approved plan B for
service delivery materials. It’s a conversation we’re having with customers
every day. Sure, there’s some pain to get there - testing specs, additional
training, etc. - but the ability to pivot no matter the supply chain disruption
is worth it.
The
second lesson we learned is to increase communication with our customers
during times of disruption. Even if the answers don’t come easy, the best way
to prepare for production delays or price instability is to have conversations
early and often. We’re not always in the business of delivering good news, but
we are in the business of keeping you informed of market conditions so that we
can help make the best decision to keep you building networks. The value of
working with a distributor is its ability to bob and weave along with your
needs, not in spite of them.
All
good things come in 3s, and really the third lesson is more a byproduct of
communication – and that’s simply the concept of stock. Conversations we’re
having as we begin the move into 2022 is that service providers realize the
importance of having product on the ground.
Inevitably,
numerous factors will continue to put pressure on supply chain and manufacturing.
At Comstar Supply, we’ll apply the lessons we’ve learned over the last 18
months to help ensure minimal disruption and exposure for our customers.
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