What a difference a year makes.
In 2008 when the cost of major
raw components skyrocketed,
our manufacturers were left with
little choice but to implement one
price increase after another. We
experienced market peaks in zinc,
driving die cast fitting prices up and
steering many customers to switch to
the then lower priced steel fittings. In
turn, shortages of steel drove those
prices up, immediately followed by
copper and aluminum highs. I love
roller coasters but not this one.
Fast forward to January 2009 when it
all stopped and manufacturers put an
end to the price increases. Curiously,
no one was in a hurry to reduce those
same prices – no one but Schaedler
Yesco that is.
Facing a different kind of challenge,
we went to work, “helping” our
manufacturers understand the market
conditions. I call it “helping” while
others may call it “encouraging,”
“motivating,” “cajoling,” or even
“squeezing.” Whatever it’s called, it
has paid off.
With the help of forty
manufacturers, Schaedler Yesco
was able to lower prices on over
,700 items!
• by Dean Krout
So what happens next is anyone’s
guess. Will we see some
manufacturers give in to the
mounting pressure and increase prices
again? No one knows for sure. One
thing for certain though is that we
will remain vigilant. We will continue
to “encourage” our vendors to offer
competitive prices and creative cost
saving solutions to benefit your
business.
So whether it’s finding a substitute
product or assisting you with cost
saving ideas from our Inventory
Management or Energy Saving
Solutions groups, our mission will
always remain the same – to enhance
your performance and profitability.
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