Stock shortages throughout the supply chain have been a massive problem over the last few years.   

They’ve been caused by a combination of an increase in demand, difficulties in increasing production, raw material shortages, labour availability, customs confusion and governmental restrictions in the country of manufacture. 

However, to our customers these causes are almost a little secondary.... 

What matters most is how it affects them. Both as an individual and as a company. 

As a company the most serious impacts happen with protective equipment.  When there are shortages of PPE the most common solution is to substitute another item that performs the same function.  There’s a high likelihood that this will result in users receiving a product that is of inferior quality to their usual issue.  This could potentially lead to a variety of outcomes, including discomfort, accidents and near-misses or life-changing injuries. 

Whilst these outcomes have serious implications for a company, they also affect individuals.  

For the operatives, there are the complications of injuries and any change in their mental health arising from a near-miss or accident.  

For the decision makers that approve the products impacts vary from time spent sourcing new items through to dealing with legal proceedings, sometimes decision makers can even be held responsible for the operatives injury!! 

How can you avoid these outcomes?? 

The best way is to make sure that your supplier has a ready stock and supply availability of the products that you have approved and specified for your operation.  One way of doing this is to take advantage of something like PK Safety’s “Stock Guarantee”.