An important update on the impact of current global supply chain issues in shipping, and how Harrison & Clough will continue to communicate, plan and deliver

An important update on the impact of current global supply chain issues in shipping, and how Harrison & Clough will continue to communicate, plan and deliver.
 
 We are committed to proactively managing our supply chain and have invested in new technology, staff training and market analysis to ensure that Harrison & Clough remains at the forefront of any emerging issues. This allows us to provide market insights which we will share with our customers, to help inform business decisions and influence strategic planning.
 
 There is currently a significant issue in the global shipping industry, where product is being manufactured and packed, but not shipped. We are concerned that this is going to create product delays and impact delivery schedules, and while we endeavour to mitigate the effect of these challenges, we have ourselves been alerted to issues within our sector, for example there is currently a shortage of roofing bolts and nuts and throughbolts entering European markets.  
 
 The ongoing issues we have seen as the results of the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine have been widely felt and are largely understood and factored in, however there are some emerging factors which are taking effect that are beginning to impact supply.

The sea freight market is facing significant challenges driven by labour tensions in North America, with ongoing and escalating strikes are causing disruptions to the supply chain that we expect to persist for some time. 
 
 In air cargo, the emergence of Vietnam as a key hub is driving a surge in rates due to high demand, and further afield rising costs and capacity issues are causing international export partners to investigate creative new logistics solutions.  This all increases the financial pressures and time-sensitive delivery patterns.
 

Meanwhile in the UK, the freight market is facing severe pressures from rising operational expenses and ongoing labour shortages, with Q3 rates surging 10% year-on-year, reflecting widespread cost increases.

We continue to work diligently with all our partners to manage these disruptions and create solutions to the issues our industry is facing, and will keep you informed of any developments, however, should you have any questions, please contact a member of our team. As always, we’re grateful for your understanding and support, and are committed to delivering quality fasteners to our customers in a cost-effective, value driven and time-efficient way.