01/19/2021
Raw Material Delays for Labels
To Our Valued Customers:
Lead time for labels has been steadily increasing. Between the ongoing COVID-19
pandemic and substantially higher demand for labels, our raw material providers are all
experiencing delays in getting label stock produced on time. In speaking with suppliers,
we do not see where this situation will improve near term. It is currently taking twice as
long to get raw material than it was in the Fall of 2020. This is, in some cases, pushing out
our lead times for label production. We are working diligently to manage the situation,
but demand is outstripping the raw material suppliers’ capacity.
In order to better support you and your teams, we are highly recommending you check
your label inventories. Expect labels to take up to 2-4 weeks longer to arrive so you may
need to order today! Symbology also offers blanket orders where the product is produced
and then held for distribution, call if you want to discuss this option. We are suggesting
customers plan a month ahead for standard thermal transfer and direct thermal label
needs, and two months ahead for specialty materials at this point in time.
We have great raw material suppliers who are usually very reliable with their deliveries,
but right now that is not the case given the pandemic and rapidly increasing label
demand. We are confident this will improve, but that may be months away.
Transportation firms also continue to have capacity issues related to trucks and
drivers. This is adding to the delay in getting the product to the end-users.
We are doing all we can to minimize disruptions, but we are seeing enough ongoing
issues that we wanted to alert you to the fact that the current longer lead times will be
with us for some time to come. We are staying close to the situation and will let you
know if we see continued product availability issues.