As we continue to investigate the on-going shortages in commercial paint supplies caused by the supply chain crisis, we are going to look at one of the specific impacts: The first products to go.
Difficulty in obtaining materials for commercial paint projects is causing industry-leading paint manufacturers like Sherwin-Williams to make significant changes to their product line. We discussed previously the production focus on high-margin products. Now we are seeing the elimination of low-margin items, niche products, primers, and the consolidation of product SKUs.
Commercial materials for specific applications are also getting harder and harder to find. Among the first paint products to dwindle in availability are traffic paints used for line striping and parking lot painting.
Traffic Paint, Primers, and Niche Item Shortages
As paint manufacturers make strategic updates to their product lines to combat the financial effects of supply chain shortages, traffic paint for striping and parking lots has experienced decreased availability.
These paints are typically the first to go due to the fact that they are lower-margin, or low demand products.
Additionally, as paint suppliers seek to reduce redundancies in their product lines, repeat or similar colors will likely be removed altogether. This is largely because raw materials, such as petroleum, are more difficult to obtain to create certain pigments. That means paint projects will have fewer color selections from which to choose, and the colors that are still available will be more expensive.
Niche items will also see a sharp decline. Niche products that have specific application uses will also be cut due to the low demand of these products.
Unfortunately, the ongoing supply shortages and their impact on the commercial paint industry will last into 2022. According to Sherwin-Williams’ CEO, John Morikis, “The persistent and industry-wide raw material availability constraints and pricing inflation…have worsened, and we do not expect to see improved supply or lower raw materials pricing in our fourth quarter as anticipated.”
Working with A&K Painting Through this Shortage
Our team has been closely monitoring the paint supply shortage in the United States. We understand how pricing fluctuations have impacted the ability to maintain industrial coatings and commercial facility painting, and can help facility managers navigate the ongoing effects of such shortages. We encourage you to plan early so you can ensure your project is completed on-time and on-budget.