Portable Sanitation Association International

ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION JUNE 24, 2020 Page 11 Understanding the Supply Chain for Sinks and Sanitizers…continued from page 3 Continued on page 12 In addition, some manufacturers are experiencing shortages of the hand sanitizer dispensers as well. As we will see later in the discussion of sinks, small parts that were sometimes taken for granted can now disrupt the entire production process. Another major supply constraint is the small 800 milliliter and 1000 milliliter and sanitizer bags. At present, these items are virtually non-existent. Buying hand sanitizer in bulk (1-gallon jugs, 55-gallon drums, 275-gallon totes) necessitates operators refilling used bags with this product. Several extremely useful and informative videos are available on YouTube that provide excellent step-by-step procedures to accomplish this task. Corey sums it up this way: "Supply has still not caught up with demand and operators need to plan accordingly." David Roncadori with J & J Chemical Company shares many of Corey's assessments. He further analyzed this situation from another vantage point. With the help of his purchasing manager, David compiled a summary based on production results to date. • Most items will continue to be allocated into 2021 and long lead times will continue. • Demand may decrease slightly over the next few months (Of course, if there is a second wave of COVID-19, this will significantly change). • Certain items (such as larger hand sanitizer dispensers) are not available or have been merged with similar items to reduce manufacturing stress and lead times. • The increased demand for hand sanitizer and related cleaners has caused a shortage of accessory products such as containers, caps, and pumps (as Walex reported above). This issue complicates companies' ability to catch up with demand. • Some raw materials to make various hand cleaners are in short supply and prices have increased over the last few months, however this trend is currently peaking. Again, if there is a second wave of COVID-19, prices could increase like they did before. • Consumers should be aware that there are a lot of non-FDA approved products in the marketplace now (as Corey also explained). • The best thing operators can do while suppliers work to increase production, is to "plan ahead, place orders early, and expect long lead times." Hand Wash Sink Stations Sam Cooper with PolyJohn has some excellent information not only about the hand wash sink supply chain but also concerning general COVID-19 safety tips in the workplace as well. As we have seen with hand sanitizers, the situation with hand wash sink stations is basically similar. According to Sam, "We have never seen demand like this in the history of our company. We sold one year's worth of sinks in one month." Both free standing sinks and in-unit sinks are becoming "standard equipment" with orders for portable restrooms on job sites and at events. Sam presents an interesting example of how one small item can impact the availability of the entire product in the supply chain. "The small rubber grommet valve for the foot pump went from a 6–7-week availability to a 14–15- week availability. Obviously, all of our various sink products became delayed as well." David Roncadori Sam Cooper

• Cover