On today show, we were talking about the supply chain in construction, and how certain seasonal effects are clouding the picture of what is happening in the real economy. At this time last year lead times four windows and doors were running incredibly long. Many window manufacturers were quoting delivery times of 16 weeks for specialty windows and sliding patio doors. By March of this year, those lead times had reduce to no more than 3 to 4 weeks. And by late spring manufacturing lead-times had reduced to a very respectable two weeks. It seemed like the post pandemic supply chain crunch was finally over.
In the past few weeks, we have seen lead-times extend for many different products. Standard lead-times for windows remain short at 2 to 3 weeks. Specialty windows are now five weeks. Patio doors are 16 weeks vinyl siding as a lead time of 6 to 8 weeks. Cement board siding is six weeks.
The spike in lead times are a function of a localized surge in demand to complete building envelope prior to winter setting in. Construction crews want to use the time during the colder months to complete the interior work without having to worry about the building envelope.
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Host: Victor Menasce
email: podcast@victorjm.com