When the pandemic struck three years ago, it seemed like we would never see the end of it. Businesses across the country froze from uncertainty and, for a while, it was the biggest thing to happen in a long time. Fast forward to today and it feels like a blip.

Although it certainly seems like we have navigated through the worst of it, we are still dealing with some of the pandemic’s negative effects. Businesses are experiencing longer lead times, material shortages and higher costs. In other words, the supply chain is out of sync. But let’s not despair and, instead, lay out some of the issues and discuss ways we can navigate them.

Current Challenges

Long lead times are frustrating for everyone involved. From raw material and semiconductor suppliers to the manufacturer, to the distributor, and finally to the customer. It’s a complex system and there is not an overnight fix.

There are a few factors that can lead to disruptions in the supply chain, starting with the post pandemic rise in demand accompanied by a shortage of goods – a bad combination.

Secondly, a shortage of reliable, skilled labor is a growing issue. It’s hard to find and retain good workers and it is not going away.

Next came the extraordinary rise in the cost of transportation and, cost aside, how long it took for shipments to reach their final destination. Unlike the issues with those making things, there was a shortage of drivers, dock workers and containers that protracted schedules and increased prices.

Addressing client concerns

In 2023, dealing with increased lead times feels like a part of our everyday job. It’s important to remember that every industry has been affected to some degree, some worse than others. That results in some customers not anticipating how long certain lead times are, causing real problems with project planning.

Heading into every meeting we discuss these issues and provide the facts- as painful as they may be. For many MHE products, what used to be shipped in weeks now take many months and those that used to ship in months are often well over a year. So, once we find the optimal solution for a customer, we try to identify the project timing milestones and work back from there.

Another thing to keep in mind is adaptability; it can be your greatest ally. One of the best things about working with Abel Womack is we don’t just offer one cookie cutter solution to solve your challenges. Our team of experienced professionals customize solutions to meet your unique needs. We are a leader in the industry because we think outside of the box, partner with best of breed suppliers and create unbiased solutions.

If a difficult situation arises, we take a step back and evaluate the customer’s issues and the different ways we can address them. Now more than ever before, teams must work together and analyze each situation from every angle. Working hand in hand to deliver the best possible solution to our clients is a win-win for everyone.

Partner with the pros

Although there are things we cannot control, we still do our absolute best to serve our customers. Covid felt like it would never end and now it is a blip in time, and this too shall pass. Remember, a disrupted supply chain is not advantageous for any party involved but we will find better ways to deal with it over time. At Abel Womack, we will evaluate every solution we have to offer and communicate early with clients on deliverables. We didn’t come this far to only come this far!