Industry Update
Like many segments in the construction industry, commercial low-slope roofing has been abruptly shaken by raw material shortages and price increases while demand has increased substantially. Whether it be COVID-19 related, unforeseen supply, increased demand, shipping delays, or the winter storm that hit the South in February; we are in some challenging times. We want to ensure you are equipped to navigate these tough and quickly changing circumstances by keeping an open dialogue and communicating accurate information as we receive additional information from our manufacturing partners and industry leaders.
COVID-19 had a vast impact on our industry. Lumber was affected due to the increase in buying goods while people stayed home, impacting the shipping and demand of freight. There were many restrictions on workers due to COVID-19, causing a shortage of workers impacting production, freight, and transportation on railways and waterways. Natural disasters also played a big part in the shortage of supplies. Lumber was affected by forest fires; manufacturing plants were shut down or severely damaged by hurricanes and the winter storm in the South.
Manufacturers are experiencing immediate and severe raw material price increases, critical shortages of vital raw materials, dozens of suppliers declaring force majeure, allocation, historic ordering, panic buying, hoarding and increased freight charges. What is Carlisle SynTec doing? They are prioritizing the single-ply roofing business of CCM, controlling the flow of the materials, prioritizing jobsite shipments to keep roofers roofing the best way possible. They are working with suppliers to procure levels of items needed to keep up with demand and so much more.
Our industry was not expecting to rebound so quickly after the pandemic. While we cannot eliminate every challenge, we pledge to give you accurate and thorough information as it becomes available. CSL is confident that while we have many industry issues to address, we are on the path towards a robust economic recovery. Please contact your local CSL Representative with any questions or concerns.