Current lead times have become very difficult to predict.  Besides the pandemic we are dealing with extreme weather disruptions, port backlogs, raw material shortages, freight equipment shortages and a workforce that you are required to send home at the first sign of sniffles.   Combine a $1,400.00 stimulus check with a middle of the week St. Patrick’s Day and you can just about guarantee productivity is going to be very low for the balance of that week. 

Extruded Chain Link

The PVC compound we are using to make extruded chain link fence and extruded strand wire is on allocation.  We ran out of this material two weeks ago because our load was three weeks late.  Our supplier has informed us that they do not know when they can get us our next loads or what the price will be when it eventually arrives.  We are running black right now for the next two weeks and at that time we will be out of compound again.  We are working to find other sources. 

Fused Bonded Chain Link

Fused bonded chain link lead times are 4-6 weeks depending on the size of the order and the type of core.  We are still doing green and brown jobs, but they must me at least 500’ in length.  We are unable to shut down production to make 33’ of 10’ high brown with a special selvage.   There may be an additional 5% increase on fabric and wire April 1^st.  Prices are expected to remain elevated through the summer.

Pipe

We currently have a good stock of pipe and tubing and coated pipe availability is now three weeks.  It appears that pipe prices will remain elevated throughout the summer. There is even a chance for an additional price increase in the next couple of weeks.  

Fittings

Fitting lead times are 2-4 weeks depending on the size of the order. We have increase tie wire production and lead times are decreasing.   We have had a couple of popular items discontinued by our fitting supplier such as 1-5/8 x 1-3/8” Aluminum Loop Caps in oversized.  We are working to find another supplier. 

For those that are waiting for extruded chain link and extruded strand wire we would like to apologize for the long wait.  Your orders are being manufactured in the order they were received.  I have been wrong so many times on estimated lead times due to many factors, many of which we had no control, that now I will let you know where you are in the order queue.  I know this sounds like the corner deli, “now serving 42”, but until supply chains settle down and things normalize a bit, it’s the best we can do.   

Thank you for your business and we are working to do better.

Bill Peterson