Are you coming unhooked by fastener demand shortages? Fastener Agencies is a fully-fledged fastener supplier with access to over 5000 types of fasteners and fixings in all shapes, sizes and coatings. Therefore, we remain the preferred supplier to various industries in Southern Africa. Following the current disruptive supply chain challenges, lateral thinking and offering alternative or designing tailor-made solutions for your business, is now the norm for us.
Undoubtedly you are struggling with these questions regarding fastener demand shortages:
- Where to find fastener stock?
- Why can’t I find fasteners that I need?
- Who has fastener stock?
- Where can I find fastener stock for the survival of my business?
What we are doing regarding fastener demand shortages?
Consequently the supply chain has been disrupted at practically every level. Notably from the factories producing goods, to the ports where they’re supposed to be unloaded and sent to store shelves. Hence many industries are feeling the pinch and can’t find fasteners or solutions. Even with the current state of supply chain challenges being an industry wide issue, at Fastener Agencies we will always have a solution for you, because we:
- don’t just sell fasteners we design tailor-made solutions.
- are creative in sustaining service levels to customers.
- are practical.
We don’t just sell fasteners, we tailor-make solutions
At Fastener Agencies we don’t just sell fasteners, we also design tailor-made solutions to suit your fastener requirements.
“The past two years has seen a complete overhaul of the business landscape. Consequently we have been forced to re-evaluate our service offering and our core business principles. Our discussion with our customers has now moved to a solution will be found. But there is only one possible option, not what would you prefer, nor want to pay, but a plan will be made. Therefore your production will continue,” says Francois Roux, sales director.
Creative in sustaining service levels to customers
Above all, we have established a reputation for our responsiveness, quick turn-around times and alternative solutions over the years. Now it has become a critical business imperative for us.
Practical
Even with the current challenges, our focus continues to be to offer a wide array of possible options. Importantly, at competitive pricing and quick turn around times. The pressure is on but we are making it happen!
Why all the supply chain challenges?
The disruptions outlined below are the causes of supply chain challenges. In view of these, as mentioned you may be asking yourself, who sells fasteners? Furthermore, who currently stocks fasteners to meet my ongoing demands? The knock on effect regarding the industrial fasteners downfall is striking industries of balance. This can result in severe consequences, including shut-downs.
Causes of the challenges in industry supply chain and raw material shortage both local and international include:
COVID-19 effect on fastener demand shortages
Two years after the outbreak of COVID-19, the impact on the supply chain is clear with global supply shortages. Practically impacting all manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers. In other words majority of companies are grappling to require a stable flow of goods. The entire world is still navigating this trajectory.
Huge shipping delays and constant increase in shipping costs
A knock on effect from COVID-19 is that port terminals globally are experiencing high traffic volumes and congestion. Thus, South Africa is no different! The result is docking delays for already delayed shipment arrivals. Further, South African ports are right now encountering difficult seasonal water currents and speeds which is contributing to the pausing of port operations. Consequently, a steep increase in petrol and diesel prices are adding to the pressure.
Power rationing effect on fastener-demand-shortages
The electricity problem in South Africa is debilitating to the industry. The consequences for sectors unreliable electricity is escalated running costs, plus diminished productivity and economic growth.
Kwazulu Natal,& Zuma unrest and Numsa strike
Importantly, a functional supply chain’s basis is logistics. The IMM Graduate school definition is, “Get the right product, to the right place, to the right customer, in the right quantities, at the right price, in the right condition and very importantly the right time.”
Unfortunately, with political unrest this is not easy to achieve! Moreover the unrest creates massive disorganization in procuring, manufacturing, and the transportation of supplies resulting in the threat to the security and survival of businesses.
NUMSA ‘s(the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa) October strike also threatened an already broken economy when thousands downed tools and consequently halted production and the ability to do business.
Without a doubt at Fastener Agencies we believe businesses should adapt and investigate alternative ways to make the supply chain more resilient and collective. “We maintain and believe that quality and quantity are not mutually exclusive: we supply both. Our ability to think laterally and find alternative solutions together with our customer service will make sure you don’t come unstuck,” explains Roux.
