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Why the product shortages?
- Thread starter mkmie
- Start date
SignosaurusRex
Active Member
IMHO, It all boils down to a shortage of workforce. On one hand, some folks are choosing to not return to work while they can get unemployment benefits coupled with the extra federal covid response money, taking advantage of the system ...and a lack of incentive.
Production / output is therefore reduced. There is also a shortage in the supply chain due to a lack of truck drivers etc.
The entire chain from ingredient to production to delivery, all the way to the end user is full of broken and weak links.
Almost everything from food to fuel and building materials etc. is affected.
Production / output is therefore reduced. There is also a shortage in the supply chain due to a lack of truck drivers etc.
The entire chain from ingredient to production to delivery, all the way to the end user is full of broken and weak links.
Almost everything from food to fuel and building materials etc. is affected.
Suppliers keep saying the ships can’t get in to unload. Backlog of cargo ships plus shortage of dock hands. Add that to the shortage of containers in China and the shortage of hands in the delivery chain and you get shortages. Maybe the government could help by paying people extra to stay unemployed so we don’t need so many supplies.
Vinyl slayer
New Member
Depends who you ask. Even then, The reasons are infinite. So far... All of the above, and yet to be posted.
Notarealsignguy
Arial - it's almost helvetica
I think many companies realized after they cut staff that they can charge 5x more increase profits without needing to ramp back up. Production of a lot of raw materials has become so consolidated that it only takes a handful to disrupt a large amount of manufacturers. Maybe it's time to start looking at antitrust laws again because this will end up having pretty severe economic implications in the near future.
Elwood "Woody" Smith
New Member
It comes down to supply chain. There is supposedly one manufacturing plant in Texas that supplies one element used in all CAST and CALENDAR vinyl formulas for 3M and Avery. During their storm this year, that plant experienced hard damage that is limiting the manufacturing of said element. Arlon who has there own stateside plant, is not going through that. But what happened next is the kicker. Arlon has picked up over 50% of all the Avery and 3M business because of it and now is sold out of there former 9 month warehoused supply and dealing with international importing issues with liner. They cannot get it. I tell you it is just crazy. We are calling daily and buying all we can, but boy have there been some delays. Hopefully they can all get caught up soon, but it doesn't look like it. We have issues with all petroleum based products right now.
gnubler
Active Member
More importantly, when will the ammo shortage end? Methinks some ugly times are coming our way.
rjssigns
Active Member
Supply shortages are simple economics:
1)Manufacturers of sign panels, lumber, whatever, shutdown or slowed operations to a crawl laying off workers in the process.
No point paying staff to make product you can't sell.
2)These manufacturers calculated needs based on a nationwide shut down so they didn't buy raw goods.
This plan snaked its way through the supply chain but it was the wrong plan.
3) Stockpiles of raw materials and finished goods were depleted.
4) Now there is a rush to "refill" the supply pipeline.
Issue here is two fold. First is people being paid more to stay home.
Second is these supply chains are absolutely massive. Even if it was as simple as flipping a switch it can takes weeks or months to get back to a normal schedule.
Once back in production you have to fill all the backorders with limited raw materials and staff.
From a business perspective I find all of this fascinating.
1)Manufacturers of sign panels, lumber, whatever, shutdown or slowed operations to a crawl laying off workers in the process.
No point paying staff to make product you can't sell.
2)These manufacturers calculated needs based on a nationwide shut down so they didn't buy raw goods.
This plan snaked its way through the supply chain but it was the wrong plan.
3) Stockpiles of raw materials and finished goods were depleted.
4) Now there is a rush to "refill" the supply pipeline.
Issue here is two fold. First is people being paid more to stay home.
Second is these supply chains are absolutely massive. Even if it was as simple as flipping a switch it can takes weeks or months to get back to a normal schedule.
Once back in production you have to fill all the backorders with limited raw materials and staff.
From a business perspective I find all of this fascinating.
Stacey K
I like making signs
Someone told me they talked to a Federal ammo salesman. He told them they have a warehouse FULL of ammo, the government put restrictions on them selling it or something like that. IDK how true that is, seems odd to me but doesn't surprise me.
Stacey K
I like making signs
People need to get back to work!
I talked to an old co-worker last week and praise the Lord I quit there! I almost died just listening to what a snowflake he was. He was not looking forward to actually having to go back to the office and "work" now vs. working from home. His excuse for not wanting to go back was his 2 year old is in daycare and he didn't want to bring the virus to work so he stayed home. Another girl's boyfriend works at a prison guard, same story, she was just protecting the other workers. He had a million stories of my old co-workers. Good luck getting these people to come back and be as productive as they were before - and the ones on unemployment. They've been on vacation for a year!
I talked to an old co-worker last week and praise the Lord I quit there! I almost died just listening to what a snowflake he was. He was not looking forward to actually having to go back to the office and "work" now vs. working from home. His excuse for not wanting to go back was his 2 year old is in daycare and he didn't want to bring the virus to work so he stayed home. Another girl's boyfriend works at a prison guard, same story, she was just protecting the other workers. He had a million stories of my old co-workers. Good luck getting these people to come back and be as productive as they were before - and the ones on unemployment. They've been on vacation for a year!
Notarealsignguy
Arial - it's almost helvetica
I'm pretty sure it was just a nitwit sales rep that was giving me bad information cuz his price was high.
I discuss this often with a large client
Do you think the employees, who don’t work, when you are watching them, suddenly develop a work ethic,
When they work from home?
We have a purchasing agent, at this client. Every day, I get a notice from Cisco firepower, that he is violating policy, watching movies on his phone. Now, I don’t pay him, so I passed the info along TWICE. his father is a VP, so it gets ignored
Question: if his day WORKING IN THE OFFICE, involves watching movies, what about the two days he “works from home”?
Multiply this by 100 or 150 employees
McDonald Signs
McDonald Signs & Graphics
I have been using a Gerber Envision 375 15in Sprocket fed plotter for 20+ years and used 15in Punched Oracal rolls on it and all of a sudden this week Grimco calls and says
that Oracal will be discontinuing 15" Punched vinyl. Can't get it 15in Punched anymore. And Avery has very limited selections on 15in punched vinyl. 3M has it in a higher priced cast 7125 series....
So....
I guess I will be upgrading to a 24in Friction fed plotter......
that Oracal will be discontinuing 15" Punched vinyl. Can't get it 15in Punched anymore. And Avery has very limited selections on 15in punched vinyl. 3M has it in a higher priced cast 7125 series....
So....
I guess I will be upgrading to a 24in Friction fed plotter......
Gino, EXCEP
Gino, EXCEPT FOR THE HOWITZER, shouldn’t you be loading your own?
you are from Pennsylvania, surely you can reload
I know a few members on this forum alone who have quite a nice supply. Mine's not too shabby, either. I'm just finding it hard to find my howitzer rounds.
Gino, EXCEPT FOR THE HOWITZER, shouldn’t you be loading your own?
you are from Pennsylvania, surely you can reload