PVCu Stock Still High Throughout Global Shortages

Whilst supply chain problems appear to be easing a little, a recent report from the insurance provider Simply Business makes grim reading for small businesses as the impact of recent shortages appears to have been dramatic. As many as 27% of the 250 trades people asked, said that projects had been delayed by 8 to 12 weeks by the difficulties of getting materials. 13% even revealed delays of 3 months or more.

Covid-19 produced a boom and bust period for our industry, or rather a bust and boom, as at the outset projects were put on hold, staff laid off or furloughed and the procurement of materials halted. There was also the legacy of Brexit, rising costs of materials fuelled by scarcity that all resulted in a £3.5bn loss according to the report. Then as industry acclimatised and projects were started back up materials were in short supply as manufacturers struggled to get going. As many commodities are imported it was found that the containers were in the wrong place around the planet and lead times from the far east, who had their own problems, nearly doubled. The cost of importation therefore also increased dramatically to add to the problem of delayed arrival. For those manufacturers still operating in the UK staff recruitment became difficult under the restrictions and for all the reasons above stock became king again for those who could get it or make it.

Some industries like Centaur Manufacturing were able to work continuously throughout the pandemic as much of their cable management solutions were required for the Nightingale Hospitals that were rapidly erected as well as those projects that remained open and were under pressure to be finished during lockdown.

As a British manufacturer having their own capability to compound PVC assisted Centaur on the availability of the primary feedstock and coupled with 24 hour continuous working ensured that their distributor network were not let down. Certainly, being a primary producer in the UK of PVCu cable management trunking, conduits and accessories enabled Centaur to offer continuity of supply. “Obviously there were many difficulties to overcome” said Production Manager Ashley Manzur, “the safety of our people was paramount and tests and restrictions were implemented but as sectors started to operate once more, we had to react very quickly from operating 8 hours, 5 days a week to operating 24 hours, 7 days a week to cope with the huge increase in product demand, which with staff shortages and isolations, meant there were challenging periods. Also, at this point, material was in short supply, which was overcome by increasing our focus on production efficiency and working closely with our network of suppliers. With all the obstacles that were overcome, it created a unity throughout the company and keeping our customers satisfied gave feeling of job fulfilment.”

Centaur’s stock remains high and their location in the heart of England enables quick and easy distribution. So at least in a small way on the supply of these particular installation materials they continue to provide a timely solution.