Tackling Supply Chain Issues
To our valued customers:
As a result of COVID-19, small and large businesses alike have experienced some forms of panic buying, hefty price increases and product shortages. Challenges remain in the supply chain but we want to reassure you that Crawford is very well positioned to partner with you to meet these challenges.
Some manufacturers are still struggling to find adequate supplies of raw materials to meet the higher demands. These issues are both global and industrywide. As a key distributor for many of the large manufacturers, and with our strong operations team, Crawford Packaging is working with every one of our manufacturing partners on your behalf to secure product and mitigate supply issues wherever we can.
Crawford’s inventory is now 50% higher than pre-pandemic levels and we are working constantly with our supply base to fill in any gaps.
Why is this happening?
Labour shortages
Increased lead times on equipment due to part shortages
Increased lead times due to COVID restrictions
General raw material shortages
- Paper related product shortage as a result of waste paper availability and limited capacity of bleaching operations
Shortage of shipping containers driving up inbound freight costs
- Ports and rail congestions
- Shortage of ground transportation providers
- Increased transportation costs
Inflationary pressures
What products are impacted?
Paper (corrugated, chipboard, edge board, labels, etc.)
- Towel and tissue products (wipers, bathroom tissue, napkins, towels)
What is Crawford’s commitment to you?
Push back on price increases and do our best to reduce pricing impact
Introduce alternative product options
Provide up to date market information
Increase inventory of key products
We encourage you to contact us should you have any questions or concerns about stocking levels and availability. We are here to partner with you to find solutions in these challenging times.
Sincerely,
John Ashby
President
Crawford Packaging, Inc.