With supply-chain disruption mounting from Covid-19 impacts, CIP Finishes has been innovating to keep commercial construction projects moving forward. One of the most effective strategies we’ve deployed is asking general contractors whether they would like to accelerate their orders and store the commercial hardware in our spacious new company headquarters.
As a result of this step and other actions taken, momentum continues on our current projects and we’ve sold additional ones, breaking $13 million in pipeline work.
“The best lesson we have learned so far with the pandemic is to accelerate orders, so customers aren’t hurt later by shutdowns and shipping problems,” CEO Paul Milde said. “We have been happy to allow very inexpensive storage in our new 21,000-square-foot building, and, to date, about 25-30% of customers have taken advantage of the offer.”
This has proven a wise decision as the number of affected suppliers grows and freight slowdowns become a consideration.
By mid-March, at least two bath accessory manufacturers in the US had stopped production. More manufacturing disruptions have followed, and two of the biggest were the shutdowns of Schlage Mexico and Kwikset Mexico. We have been monitoring our supply chains on a continuing basis and finding workarounds when needed for sourcing materials, in most cases by changing products or, when this is not possible, by buying through the secondary market.
Even when we do find a workaround, freight delays are an issue as deliveries in some cases are taking as much as three times longer than before the pandemic. We are factoring this into our planning, but it’s clear that general contractors who accelerate their orders are more likely to preserve their construction schedules in the current environment.
If you are a CIP Finishes customer, there is still time to authorize us to accelerate your order and store the hardware for your project. Just reach out to your normal point of contact or send us an e-mail at orders@cipfinishes.com.
Installation Precautions
We continue to alert our CIP installers whenever we receive reports from general contractors about possible Covid-19-positive workers on a job site. When that happens, the site is shut down for several days for cleaning and disinfecting. So far, we’ve experienced Covid-related shutdowns on five of 30 job sites.
On the job, our installers are taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety of themselves and those around them. This includes use of face masks as required by each individual job site, and scheduling work in shifts—even late into the night—so that there can be fewer people on-site at any given time, allowing for greater social distancing.
We are grateful for the willingness of our installers to alter their work because of the pandemic and will continue to monitor the situation should more adjustments be necessary.