Supply Chain Disruptions and Chokepoints Dominate

By Lisa Anderson

To succeed in the current world dominated by supply chain disruptions and chokepoints, executives must create resiliency and get ahead of the inevitable volatility. The latest, the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, has caused massive diversions on the East Coast and in the Baltimore region pointing out the need for backup sources of supply and agility in the supply chain. The level of geopolitical and supply chain risk has remained elevated and should not be ignored in designing supply chain plans.

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Brushware News April 22, 2024

Prepared Manufacturers Will Thrive as Supply Chain Risks Abound

By Lisa Anderson

Executives are tired after surviving the pandemic, navigating supply chain disruptions, handling soaring inflation, and dealing with one challenge after another. However, it is not time to rest as supply chain risks abound. From the Russia-Ukraine war to China’s aggression in the South China Sea and as well as hurricanes, strikes and bank failures, supply chain risks are not abating; they are simply changing.

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Brushware News September 5, 2023

Predictable Revenue and Resilient Operations for Manufacturing Success

By Lisa Anderson

Manufacturing is in a state of flux. After seven straight months of contraction in manufacturing, it is not surprising manufacturers are thinking about cutting back. On the other hand, in many industries manufacturers continue to have a robust backlog and are growing faster than their capacity. Simultaneously, there is significant transition and movement around the globe in the areas of dual-source suppliers, reshoring, nearshoring, consolidation and other changes. In this volatile environment, opportunities will abound for those manufacturers focused on creating predictable revenue and resilient operations.

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Brushware News June 16, 2023

How Smart Manufacturers Are Navigating Interest Rate Hikes

By Lisa Anderson

Interest rates have increased by a historic amount within the last year. Increases of almost five points on such an aggressive timeline are already having a significant impact on the ability of manufacturers and distributors to fund and support their business growth. With typical business loans renewing every five to seven years, the impacts will continue to pile up.

In addition to high-interest rates for loans and lines of credit, costs have been increasing at a rapid pace during the last two years. The producer price index (PPI) rose by over 15 percent in the last two years. Typically, clients have been able to pass on part of these increases to customers, but most, if not all, have absorbed part as well, driving margins down. On top of that, wage rates have been increasing in alignment with these factors as well. Thus, manufacturers and distributors are experiencing higher input costs and higher costs to secure capital. This situation will not change anytime soon, so smart manufacturers must take control of their destiny.

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Brushware News May 4, 2023

Supply Chain Challenges Are Just an Excuse

By Lisa Anderson

The supply chain has become an excuse. Although there has certainly been a slew of supply chain challenges that carry on with baby formula shortages, rail backlogs, computer chip issues, hurricane-induced delays, fertilizer scarcity and China’s zero-COVID policy delays, the supply chain should no longer be the excuse. Only the proactive will thrive in the years to come.

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Brushware News December 30, 2022

Supply Chain Collaboration and VMI to Get Ahead of Economic Challenges

By Lisa Anderson

With record-breaking price increases and lack of material availability, manufacturers are experiencing increasing threats to profit margins and maintaining strong customer service. To add fuel to the fire, they are also now having to consider plans to prepare for a potential recession. It is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate these volatile times, and the most successful are not doing it alone. Instead, they are pursuing collaborative programs with supply chain partners. What is clear is that there will be more winners and losers created than at any other time in history. Thus, it is worth figuring out how to work with your supply chain partners to ensure mutual success rather than mutual demise.

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Brushware News July 20, 2022

How Businesses Can Thrive During Inflation

By Lisa Anderson

According to the Wall Street Journal, consumer prices are the highest in 40 years. It certainly doesn’t seem to be letting up. In fact, with the Russia-Ukraine war, there will be continued inflationary pressure on products related to oil, gas, commodities and food at a minimum. Clients and colleagues are seeing record increases in the costs of raw materials, components and supplies. Strong companies are prepared to thrive during these inflationary times. They are resilient and willing to take action as conditions change.

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Brushware News May 12, 2022

When Will the Supply Chain Disruptions End?

By Lisa Anderson

Supply chain disruptions will continue throughout 2022. In fact, we need to accept that supply chain challenges will be commonplace in the next normal. Each link will continue to blame the others while the end-to-end supply chain will only be as strong as its weakest link. Manufacturers will continue to experience shortages of materials and labor while prices escalate. Talent will continue to retire, reshuffle and look for better opportunities. Yet more winners will be created than at any time in history other than when emerging from the Great Depression. Will you struggle or take control and create your own future?

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Brushware News January 5, 2022

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ABOUT BRUSHWARE

Brushware Magazine is a bimonthly trade publication for the manufacturers and suppliers of brushes, mops, rollers, brooms, products that apply material, and clean or polish surfaces. Brushware offers news, product information, development and sales, and personality profiles, emphasizing application techniques, new applicator materials, and methods of application. Government import and export statistics are published quarterly and analyzed for relevancy.
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