The Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association is asking consumers and builders to bear with industry manufacturers as they struggle with significant challenges as a result of COVID-19.
Kitchen manufacturers are working extremely hard to provide products and services to the Canadian and U.S. markets, but they are facing:
• Supply chain disruption on a global scale.
• Increased demand for renovations, products for the home
• Ongoing skilled labour shortage
• COVID-19 health and safety protocols
“Supply chain disruption has led industry suppliers to create “allocation programs” to best manage the flow of limited supply to keep our industry functioning. As a result, material such as MDF, white melamine and hardware are in limited supply. These materials are normally readily available and our industry is having to adapt to longer lead times and increased planning in order to deliver on projects.
“In my 30 plus years in this industry I have never seen these kinds of challenges,” says CKCA President Heidi Boudreault. “While my business is based in Alberta and we are used to adapting to the highs and lows, these current conditions are pushing us all. We are doing our best to meet the demands of our clients who are incredibly important to us. But the fact remains that these are global issues beyond our control.”
Increased demand for renovations is caused by an unprecedented surge for renovations to existing homes and new builds. This demand is on top of already existing and previously scheduled projects. It is pushing demand even higher and this increase is expected to continue while real estate prices remain high and borrowing remains low.
The CKCA anticipates demand will continue as other influencers, including “aging in place,” will likely keep demand high. In addition, infrastructure investments in other countries, including the U.S., means demand for materials will remain at unprecedented levels.
"Trades in general were already experiencing significant labour shortages, which are now exacerbated by the slowdown in immigration into Canada of skilled workers. Companies have responded by adding more shifts and overtime, however, this causes increased labour costs and is not sustainable long-term.
Lockdowns, use of PPE, distancing, daily employee screening and quarantining are part of normal operations now for kitchen manufacturers, and that has added more operational load and cost.
"Our industry continues to adapt and has operated successfully through this pandemic. We ask for patience and flexibility from consumers and builders as industry manufacturers and suppliers continue to make updates to timelines and prices. Customers remain of the upmost importance to our industry and we remain committed to doing our very best to meet those needs."
If you have any questions please contact Sandra Wood, CKCA executive director at 613-493-5858 or info@ckca.ca for more details.
