I spoke with an exec at a major distributor today, and he expressed that his executive team has been discussing the potential impact of a potential strike and closures of east coast and gulf region ports. As we saw with Covid, port closures and supply chain disruptions can have a direct impact on pricing and availability of chemicals, equipment, and parts.
It is premature to speculate on the potential impact of the strike, but keep an eye on your chem and equipment prices and adjust your rates accordingly!
Here are some suggestions to prepare for the potential impact:
- Consider stocking up on equipment and supplies you know you’re going to need.
- If you have outstanding quotes that your customers have not approved, give them a nudge to approve the quote. Let them know that pricing and availability may be uncertain.
- Prepare to increase prices in the event chem and equipment prices increase, especially if you include chems as part of your service pricing. Check out the Skimmer Price Increase Toolkit for sample price increase templates and a handy price increase calculator.
- Educate your customers. Let them know that you are aware of the situation. Here is a sample email:
Subject: Important Update on Port Closures and Our Response
Dear gCustomer Name],
I hope this message finds you well. We wanted to inform you that we are aware of the strike impacting Eastern and Gulf Region ports in the US. We understand how this could potentially affect supply chains and product availability in our industry.
Please know that our team is closely monitoring the situation and working proactively to mitigate any disruptions. We are committed to ensuring the continuity of our service and minimizing any impact on your current pricing structure.
Rest assured, we will keep you updated with any significant changes and will continue to support you through this situation.
Thank you for your trust in Pool Company Name]. If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Best regards,
tYour Name]
YCompany Name]