Welcome to 2022! I know it’s a little soon to say how things will turn out, but based on the past eight weeks, I can tell you that the last few months of 2021 have wholly disregarded the line I drew in the sand and stomped all over my hopeful start to 2022.
We started the year with a Covid-stricken workforce, our materials are still shorted, our supply chain is still challenged, and our unpredictable friend Mr. Murphy and his Law have tagged right along as we do our best to keep moving forward in the New Year.
Sound familiar?
If you have been following along in previous editions of Caulk Talk, receive our industry advisories or price adjustment notifications, I’m sure you’re aware of many of these issues. I can tell you that November, December, and January have been the most difficult months to date related to the on-time delivery of materials and quantities needed to stay ahead of our customers’ demand.
That said, I think there may be a light at the end of the tunnel – and hopefully not from an oncoming train. So far in February, we have received the full amounts of some materials orders. We had only received around half of our requested order amounts for most of last year.
Our Everkem Team is now mostly healthy and back from Covid, and we are full speed ahead, working to replenish stock and get caught up on our backorders.
During the downtime of the holidays – downtime exacerbated by fewer materials to mix and package – we were able to improve warehouse and production organization. Among these improvements was new machinery, including a new mixer and automatic bottle filling line that will help us reduce lead times moving forward into 2022 and beyond.
This has been a trying time for everyone, but reflecting on the challenges we have faced over the past two years, I also think that this is a time that makes us. It makes us appreciate the relationships that we know we can rely on but also makes us seek out new relationships where old ones fell short. It makes us come together or rely on new personnel to fill the role, of a sick team member.
It makes us have to hold difficult conversations with customers about price, yet also proves our value by delivering on the job when no one else could. As much as it seems that Covid has been about quarantine and isolation, it makes us realize that we are so interdependent and that we truly are all in this together.
To me, this is very humbling but also comforting. We have a limited amount of time in this great life, and I know each day we come together to perfect our craft of caulk will bring new opportunities for progress and growth. I am eager to brave this storm with hope and optimism, knowing great things are coming. I know that we will still have challenges to face, but these challenges make us, and this is our defining moment. We are all in this together, and I am so thankful and appreciative for your continued patience, support, and investment of trust in us. Thank you very much for your partnership and best wishes for growth, prosperity, and success in 2022.
In this edition, we’ve included a handy tutorial for our Caulk Yield Calculator to help you get the most accurate estimations for your caulk and sealant needs. In our Product Spotlight, we’ll be shedding some light on MS Polymer sealants, which in these hectic times can be a valuable offset to silicone sealants. Finally, our Employee Spotlight will shine on a man who has been with us since the beginning, Everkem’s production manager, Bobby Hamm.
If you would like to reach out to me personally, please connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram. I also invite you to give us a call, or visit us on LinkedIn or send us an email. Thank you very much!
