Englert successfully tackles global supply chain shortage with dependable and consistent sourcing initiative

The last two years of pandemic-driven challenges significantly impacted many manufacturers, and Englert Inc. is no exception. Unexpected shutdowns and disruptions at mills and suppliers, logistical delays, employee health and safety, unpredictable demand, and uncertainty made the best-laid plans irrelevant. Maintaining a consistent supply of roofing and gutter material to keep our customers running, while doing right by our employees, required innovation and a new approach.

Metal Procurement

The roofing and gutter products that Englert manufactures require substantial tonnage of raw materials such as aluminum, steel, and other metals. Through its time in business, Englert has developed a stable supplier network with a mix of mills. Some mills shut down entirely at the outset of the pandemic, requiring months to reopen at reduced capacity. Longer-lasting rolling shutdowns and labor shortages forced mills to allocate their limited supply, with the auto industry absorbing a sizable portion. Global availability of aluminum and steel fluctuated, with one or both being tight during the balance of the last two years

Englert embarked on a global sourcing initiative to ensure the dependability and consistency of the raw material supply lines. Several aluminum and steel mills in multiple countries were engaged and new relationships were formed. Englert undertook significant testing and evaluation to ensure the new arrangements met our stringent metal specifications and quality standards.

As the effects of the pandemic have eased, Englert is well-positioned to leverage the agility and expanded relationships that have helped weather the storm.

And while Englert may be sourcing some raw materials from other countries, the products themselves are still manufactured right here in the USA, as they always have been.

Pains with Paints

Lithium battery manufacturing ramped up substantially with the onset of the electric vehicle boom. One of the ingredients of these batteries is a chemical called PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride). This is also an ingredient in Englert's paint to keep the color from fading.

The supply of this chemical was significantly reduced, causing a reduction of the paint supply by the same amount. This component was unsourceable from any other supplier. Englert had to redesign their approach.

They tried to expand the scope of the paint technology. The product development group worked hard to create new paint coatings. They were successful; however, the latest paints were more expensive due to low quantities in test batches. So, they took another approach.

Englert leaned in and significantly expanded the scope of partnership with a major US-based global leader in the paint and coatings industry. This collaboration gives Englert more paint allocation for all Englert products by further committing to the partnership. The partnership will ensure that paint is flowing with the same quality and guarantee that Englert is known for.

Fulfillment Expansion

Englert is proud to announce the planned opening of a new fulfillment center located in Somerset, N.J. This center will be focused entirely on customer fulfillment at best-in-class service levels. True to Englert's commitment to environmental sustainability, an existing facility is being converted and leased instead of building on a green field, in line with company values.

This new facility will house customer orders until they are ready to be installed. Customers will experience better service and a faster turnaround on their orders, while Englert will realize significant operational efficiencies in the existing manufacturing facility and the new fulfillment center.

Englert has become agile in its pursuit to:

·??Diversify its raw material sourcing and acquisition

·??Leverage an enhanced and empowered supply chain team for improved performance

·??Enhance customer experience and order fulfillment via a new organization: Customer Service, Warehouse Operations and Shipping Planning.

Englert's end-to-end process spans the globe, from raw material sourcing to customer fulfillment. Today, all orders are filled, and there are no past due orders. These preparations will keep Englert and our customers on the road to success