Prices for such staples as polyvinyl chloride and steel products have continued to see an increase during the final quarter of this year, a new industry study is reporting.
But at the same time, according to the Tempe-based Institute for Supply Management, delivery times for a wide variety of needed items are markedly up.
The report notes a current waiting time of 3 months for PVC products, and 2 months for copper pipes.
One of the longest wait times, at around 11 months, is now seen with steel products.
Additional supplies categorized in the report as being in short supply: computer equipment, electrical components, engine components, and both laptop and desktop computers.
Overall, with any reading above 50 indicating slower deliveries, the Institute’s Backlog of Orders Index in November stood at 65.9%, although that is a slight drop from October’s 67.3%.
In a statement, Anthony Nieves, chairman of the Institute, remarked that “Demand continues to outpace supply that has been impacted by capacity constraints, shortages of labor and materials and logistical challenges.”
Nieves added that such trends have additionally promoted a demand inflation that “is affecting overall business conditions.”
By Garry Boulard
