{"id":7994,"date":"2021-01-29T19:04:05","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T19:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/?p=7994"},"modified":"2023-12-27T20:25:21","modified_gmt":"2023-12-27T20:25:21","slug":"industry-lead-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/industry-lead-times\/","title":{"rendered":"Industry Lead Times"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p>As the global pandemic continues, the pressure-sensitive label industry has experienced a massive increase in demand. This demand increase combined with supply chain issues has had rippling effects throughout our industry. This page is dedicated to providing the most up-to-minute updates in the label industry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <div class=\"smith-corona-featured-image\">\n\n                <img src=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/industry-lead-times-hero-splash.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"460\" \/>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;background-color:#f5f5f5;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-1{margin-top:8px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:-5px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-1{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:8px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:-5px;margin-left:0px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Current Industry Lead Times (Updated: March 19, 2021 ) <\/strong><\/p><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><ul>\n<li>3\/18\/2021- <a href=\"#Barcodes\">Supply Chain Challenges Hitting Barcodes, Inc.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>3\/09\/2021- <a href=\"#DLS4\">April Price Increases Across the Board for DLS<\/a><\/li>\n<li>3\/08\/2021- <a href=\"#Avery\">Surcharges Affecting Avery Dennison in Q1 &amp; Q2<\/a><\/li>\n<li>3\/08\/2021- <a href=\"#ID Images2\">Winter Weather in Texas Strikes Another Blow for I.D. Images<\/a><\/li>\n<li>3\/08\/2021- <a href=\"#Abbott\">Price Increases for Abbott Labels Starting April 2021<\/a><\/li>\n<li>3\/03\/2021- <a href=\"#Spinnaker\">April Price Increase Effective On All Spinnaker Pressure Sensitive Roll Products<\/a><\/li>\n<li>3\/03\/2021- <a href=\"#DLS2\">DLS Announces Lead Time Delays Affecting Thermal Ribbon\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>3\/01\/2021- <a href=\"#essendant\">Price Increase Inevitable for Essendant\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>2\/16\/2021- <a href=\"#DLS\">Diversified Label Systems Provides Updates On Raw Material Delays<\/a><\/li>\n<li>2\/15\/2021- <a href=\"#General Data\">General Data Forecasts Price Increases In 2021<\/a><\/li>\n<li>2\/15\/2021- <a href=\"#ID Images\">I.D. Images Announces 8 Month Lead Times On Some Raw Materials<\/a><\/li>\n<li>2\/12\/2021- <a href=\"#FLEXcon\">FLEXon Orders to See Price Increase on March 15th<\/a><\/li>\n<li>2\/12\/2021- <a href=\"#Green Bay\">Green Bay Packaging Can No Longer Absorb Inflation Costs<\/a><\/li>\n<li>2\/11\/2021- <a href=\"#Strata-Tac\">Strata-Tac to Increase Pricing on Coated Products<\/a><\/li>\n<li>2\/03\/2021-<a href=\"#UPM\">Freight &amp; Raw Material Costs Affecting UPM Raflatac Prices<\/a><\/li>\n<li>2\/01\/2021- <a href=\"#Tech\">Constraints on Raw Materials Driving up Prices for Technicote<\/a><\/li>\n<li>2\/01\/2021- <a href=\"#Mactac\">Mactac Rolling Out New Prices on Roll Label Stock<\/a><\/li>\n<li>1\/19\/2021- <a href=\"#Domtar\">Pricing on Thermal, Label, &amp; Release Paper to Hit Domtar Paper<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;width:100%;\"><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-2{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-2{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-2 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"Barcodes\"><strong>Barcodes Inc. (March 18th, 2021)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><p class=\"p-rich_text_section\">Customers of Barcodes, Inc. will see price increases on the majority of their label supplies beginning April 2021. This is due to the continuing challenges of increased raw material costs, base chemical costs, and extended lead times. Additionally, Barcodes, Inc. is also citing increases due to disruptions from:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"p-rich_text_list p-rich_text_list__bullet\" data-stringify-type=\"unordered-list\" data-indent=\"0\">\n<li data-stringify-indent=\"0\">COVID-19<\/li>\n<li data-stringify-indent=\"0\">Weather-related<\/li>\n<li data-stringify-indent=\"0\">Strained logistics pipeline<\/li>\n<li data-stringify-indent=\"0\">Struggling freight demands<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p-rich_text_section\">They believe additional cost increases on raw materials and ongoing lead times will continue throughout 2021 and are encouraging their customers to work with their account manager for updates on prices, alternative sources for labels, and actions to help offset longer lead times.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-2{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-3{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-3{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"DLS4\"><strong>DLS (March 9th, 2021)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another email update has been sent by DLS. Starting April 8, 2021, all of their Genuine Supplies products will experience a price increase. The need for this particular increase comes from major raw material providers having increased their prices on items like paper and film stocks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DLS also mentions costs being driven up due to the extreme winter weather conditions disrupting the supply chain and increasing the prices on base chemicals and materials. They assure their customers that their goal is to \u201ckeep costs increases to a minimum\u201d and they are working to minimize the impact until the situation stabilizes. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-3{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-3 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-3{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-3 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-3{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-3 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-3{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-4 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-4{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-4{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-4 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"Avery\"><strong>Avery Dennison (March 8th, 2021)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On January 22, 2021 Avery Dennison emailed their customers about an upcoming surcharge on polypropylene. Like other manufacturers and distributors, Avery Dennison was hit hard from the supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic. Higher raw material prices, transportation costs, and high demand are just some of the causes for the price increases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avery Dennison told customers that beginning February 22, 2021, they would be implementing a $0.020\/MSI surcharge on polypropylene for Q1. More surcharges were set to follow in Q2:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Above $0.78\/lb = $0.020\/MSI surcharge<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Above $0.88\/lb = $0.035\/MSI surcharge<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Above $0.98\/lb = $0.050\/MSI surcharge<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each further $0.10\/lb increase to the average reported price will result in an incremental increase of $0.015\/MSI to the surcharge.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to try and reduce the impact these increases are having on their customers and keep their North American facilities operating at full capacity, Avery Dennison has gone as far as air-shipping raw materials from their facilities in Asia. However, due to the continued increases plaguing the label industry, a 6% price increase on all North American products will go into effect April 8, 2021. Surcharges on polypropylene will stay in place.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-4{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-4 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-4{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-4 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-4{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-4 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-4{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-5 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-5{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-5{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-5 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"ID Images2\"><strong>I.D. Images (March 8th, 2021)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last month, CEO of I.D. Images Brian Gale opened up about how current lead times were affecting his company. With lead times continuing to extend as material shortages plague the labeling industry, Gale laments that another blow has struck. Due to recent severe weather in Texas, shortages of critical chemicals are now expected.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gale states that they are \u201cbeing put on allocation for several products\u201d which may last anywhere from as little as 4 weeks to upwards of 12 weeks or longer. Prices for products will continue to rise as \u201cdemand exceeds supply,\u201d and Gale begs readers to plan for the shortages and carry more inventory.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-5{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-5 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-5{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-5 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-5{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-5 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-5{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-6 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-6 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-6{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-6{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-6 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"Abbott\"><strong>Abbott Labels (March 8th, 2021)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Label manufacturer Abbott Labels has recently informed their distributors of price increases on all products which will go into effect April 7, 2021. Due to \u201ca culmination of unforeseen circumstances in the raw material market\u201d and recent extreme weather events hitting the southern part of the country where several of their facilities reside, key facilities have shut down and further shortened supplies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abbott Label also states that despite material shortages and growing costs, they have invested in new equipment and software to \u201chelp curb growing material costs,\u201d as they continue to increase with no signs of slowing down in the near future. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-6{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-6 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-6{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-6 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-6{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-6 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-6{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-7 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-7 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-7{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-7{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-7 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"Spinnaker\"><strong>Spinnaker Coating, LLC (March 3rd, 2021)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to the ongoing inflation with raw materials, along with constraints to the supply chain and capacity challenges and costs of transportation, Spinnaker is having to increase their prices on all pressure-sensitive roll products. Effective on orders before and after April 5, 2021, customers can expect an average price increase of 6%. However, \u201c[p]rice quotes&#8230;issued on or after February 1, 2021 will be unaffected.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spinnaker also notes that freight and logistics costs and capacity are \u201can ongoing challenge\u201d for all industries. They will continue to make adjustments to freight costs, and warn customers that \u201cthe current freight surcharge is expected to increase by $0.002\u201d beginning on May 1, 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-7{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-7 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-7{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-7 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-7{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-7 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-7{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-8 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-8 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-8{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-8{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-8 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"DLS2\"><strong>DLS (March 3rd, 2021)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-9\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DLS sent their distributors an email update regarding thermal ribbon delays for the month of March 2021. Production and shipping capabilities, which were already experiencing delays due to the pandemic and the expanding demand for thermal printing supplies, have been pushed even further with the addition of current extreme weather conditions. As a result, lead times for thermal transfer ribbons are now longer than normal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As DLS states, the longer lead times are \u201cindustry-wide and beyond [their] control.\u201d Currently, the lead times for thermal ribbon are around 3-5 days for stocked items and at least 30 days for non-stocked items.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-8{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-8 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-8{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-8 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-8{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-8 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-8{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-9 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-9 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-9{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-9{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-9 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"essendant\"><strong>Essendant (March 1st, 2021)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-10\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National distributor Essendant recently notified their customers of upcoming paper price increases, which they attribute to a rise in transportation costs, multiple manufacturing costs, and raw material costs. These price increases, ranging from 6% &#8211; 8%, will be updated by mid-March 2021 and effective to Essedant customers beginning April 1, 2021. They are encouraging customers to update their price files as soon as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-9{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-9 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-9{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-9 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-9{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-9 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-9{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-10 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-10 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-10{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-10{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-10 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"DLS\"><strong>DLS (February 16th, 2021)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-11\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In early January 2021, DLS, a label converter, warned distributors of the delays raw material providers were experiencing in getting label stock produced on time, and how the demand was far exceeding supplier capacity. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They highly recommended end-user customers be notified of the current industry disruptions and urged to order early, at least one month ahead for standard <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/thermal-transfer-labels.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">thermal transfer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/direct-thermal-labels.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">direct thermal <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">label needs, citing transportation issues related to trucks and drivers adding in product and shipment delays.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DLS is once again warning distributors of the supply chain issues for their raw materials caused by COVID-19.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While costs on items like corrugated cartons and plastic bags have been on the rise since mid-2020, they are admitting that cost increases are now moving to affect raw materials. So far, increases have only affected certain stock items, but DLS believes that it is only a matter of time before other stocks increase as well, leading to price increases for all stock and custom products that they supply.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DLS also warns of shipping costs increases in the foreseeable future due to soaring freight costs. Record high backlogs have doubled lead times for thermal transfer (TT) and direct thermal (DT) stocks while lead times for specialty materials are expected to triple. Ultimately, this has caused their own lead times to lengthen to the point of advising customers to plan for 15 to 20 day lead times on standard orders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The label converter advises that the supply chain and freight issues will be ongoing and do not look like they will be resolved any time soon. For these reasons, it is imperative that distributors notify customers about upcoming price increases and place orders as soon as possible, the earlier the better.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-10{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-10 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-10{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-10 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-10{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-10 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-10{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-11 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-11 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-11{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-11{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-11 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"General Data\"><strong>General Data (February 15th, 2021)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-12\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">General Data, a provider of labels, printers, equipment, and more, posted on their blog on February 15th that due to COVID-19 causing \u201csignificant disruptions,\u201d price increases are imminent. A surge in demand for raw materials and chemical manufacturers combined with labor shortages, illness, quarantines, and safety protocols has left the global supply chain in chaos.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">General Data admits that due to the above dilemmas, their suppliers have \u201calready imposed price increases and are telling [them] to expect more price increases in the foreseeable future.\u201d They are experiencing price increases due to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Material prices adding to the overall cost of a label<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased transportation costs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New costs for cleaning and sanitizing equipment and workspaces<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased costs for additional items like stretch film, corrugated cartons, and pallets\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">General Data says they are actively working to \u201cminimize the impact\u201d that these changes will have on their business and customers. However, they are unable to avoid extending order lead times and increasing the prices of some of their materials. Furthermore, they anticipate \u201cgeneral price increases on all stock and custom products in the very near future.\u201d They are advising customers to plan ahead as best as they can.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-11{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-11 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-11{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-11 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-11{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-11 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-11{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-12 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-12 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-12{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-12{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-12 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"ID Images\"><strong>I.D. Images (Feb. 15th, 2021)<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-13\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An honest and open admission to industry issues came from the president and CEO of I.D. Images, Brian Gale. Gale admitted in his blog on February 15, 2021 that I.D. Images, a pressure-sensitive label converter in Ohio, is experiencing lead times for materials as long as eight months, which is an astronomical delay in business. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He also made a note about seeing normal one or two day lead times extended around three to four weeks. Taken aback by the extreme timelines, Gale advised his readers to start contingency planning as soon as possible in order to make accommodations. For the time being, he says, \u201cshort lead times are gone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-12{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-12 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-12{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-12 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-12{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-12 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-12{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-13 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-13 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-13{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-13{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-13 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"FLEXcon\"><strong>FLEXcon (Feb. 12th, 2021)<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-14\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Label manufacturer FLEXcon let their customers know in mid-February that they had no other choice but to make price adjustments due to current market conditions. Increased costs on raw material components &#8211; films, adhesives, and liners &#8211; have caused a 4.5% price increase that will go into effect on all orders placed on or after March 15, 2021. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-13{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-13 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-13{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-13 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-13{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-13 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-13{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-14 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-14 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-14{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-14{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-14 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"Green Bay\"><strong>Green Bay Packaging Inc. (Feb. 12th, 2021)<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-15\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Customers of Green Bay Packaging will see new price adjustments due to significant inflation on freight costs and polypropylene film face stock that can no longer be absorbed by the company. Two price adjustments were sent via email to customers addressing the escalating costs:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prices on all products are set to increase by $0.003\/MSI\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prices on products with polypropylene film face stocks are set to increase by $0.02\/MSI<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All shipments of Green Bay Packaging and Citadel products as of March 15, 2021 will be affected by these price increases.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-14{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-14 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-14{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-14 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-14{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-14 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-14{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-15 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-15 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-15{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-15{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-15 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"Strata-Tac\"><strong>Strata-Tac (Feb. 11th, 2021)<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-16\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Label coater and laminator Strata-Tac are working with their supply chain and raw material suppliers to ensure they are still able to provide their customers with high-quality products at a reasonable price despite increasing costs. However, prices on all film and paper products, \u201cincluding pressure-sensitive, non-pressure sensitive, and top coated products\u201d are on the rise and will go into effect on or after March 15, 2021. These increases will affect:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pricing on all Strata-Tac products, excluding their \u201cIM\u201d premium matte inkjet\/laser cross-platform top coated products by 6%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All Strata-Tac \u201cIM\u201d premium matte inkjet\/laser cross-platform top coated products with \u201cIM\u201d in their product code by 9.5%<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of these increases are due to a significant rise in raw materials associated with producing specialty coatings.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-15{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-15 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-15{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-15 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-15{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-15 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-15{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-16 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-16 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-16{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-16{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-16 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"UPM\"><strong>UPM Raflatac (Feb. 3rd, 2021)<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-17\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UPM Raflatac let their customers know that they have been experiencing inflation on specific raw materials and a considerable increase in freight costs. In particular, prices for polypropylene are skyrocketing, \u201cmainly due to limited upstream capacity.\u201d Despite trying to offset cost increases, beginning March 8, 2021 UPM Raflatac will adjust label stock products with polypropylene face materials by 4%. Furthermore, all label stock materials will be subject to an adjustment of $0.003\/MSI in order to help compensate for freight cost increases.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-16{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-16 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-16{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-16 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-16{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-16 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-16{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-17 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-17 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-17{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-17{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-17 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"Tech\"><strong>Technicote (February 2021)<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-18\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Label manufacturer Technicote released an email to customers in early 2021 that their company can no longer absorb the rising increases due to costs on freight and ocean containers coupled with constraints on key raw materials.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Effective March 1, customers of Technicote will see a price increase of $0.02\/MSI on their polypropylene products. Additionally, a $0.02\/MSI increase on Smudge Latex and $0.045 on 3.7 Mil Smudge-Proof Kimdura products will also go into effect. Technicote states that despite the current \u201cvolatile market\u201d they will continue to monitor the situation and do their best to minimize the impact to their customers.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-17{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-17 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-17{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-17 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-17{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-17 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-17{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-18 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-18 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-18{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-18{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-18 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"Mactac\"><strong>Mactac (February 2021)<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-19\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mactac is announcing price increases on their roll label stock starting March 29th, 2021. These new prices will include a 4.5% increase on all polypropylene products and an increase of $0.003\/MSI on all Mactac products to help offset inflation due to logistics and freight. According to Mactac, polypropylene costs have gone up considerably due to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rising oil prices<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Record high demands<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced ocean freight capacity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constrained production in North America<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mactac states that they tried delaying the increases for as long as possible, hoping the market would normalize, but \u201cthe magnitude and rate of increasing\u201d material, logistic, and operating costs are too significant.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-18{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-18 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-18{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-18 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-18{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-18 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-18{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-19 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-19 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-19{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-19{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-19 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h4 id=\"Domtar\"><strong>Domtar Paper (Jan. 19th, 2021)<\/strong><\/h4><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-20\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back on January 19, 2021, Domtar Paper sent out an email to customers letting them know of a price increase on coated and uncoated thermal stock, label and release papers. The increase of 12% was set to go into effect March 1, 2021. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-19{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-19 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-19{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-19 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-19{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-19 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-19{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-20 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-20 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-21\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below are the listed factors causing the current supply chain disruptions and lead time extensions. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-20{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-20 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-20{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-20 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-20{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-20 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-20{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-21 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-21 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-20{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-20{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-20 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>2020: The Year That Changed Everything<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-22\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2020 was the year that turned the world upside down. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated eCommerce growth to new heights. Because of stay-at-home order initiatives, an explosion of online orders and shipping swept the world like a tidal wave. This steady growth directly affected the labeling industry, increasing demands for packaging and shipping supplies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As online business continued to thrive throughout 2020, paper mills and laminators became oversold on their raw material inventories, which plummeted as a result of high demands. This marked effect has been felt completely across the paper and label supply chains, directly causing lead times to double and triple their normal standards.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-21{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-21 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-21{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-21 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-21{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-21 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-21{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-22 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-22 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-21{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-21{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-21 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>The Boom in eCommerce\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-23\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay-at-home orders began to go into effect within the first quarter of 2020, with people not only placing online orders, but ordering more due to widespread panic. According to Statistica, eCommerce sales in the US jumped from $160 million in the first quarter to $210 million in the second quarter. These sales factored into the vast amount of labels being used for shipping and packaging.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As inventories dwindled, paper mills struggled to keep up with orders, resulting in label stock production falling behind. This domino effect has led to the current industry issue of longer lead times to laminators, converters, and, ultimately, end-users. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-22{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-22 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-22{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-22 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-22{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-22 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-22{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-23 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-23 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-22{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-22{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-22 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Global Companies Raising Their Prices\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-24\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of shortages, the following specialty paper producers have announced plans to increase their thermal paper prices effective between January and March 2021:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Hansol (South Korea):<\/strong> 10 &#8211; 15%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Koehler (Germany):<\/strong> 12%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Oji Paper (Thailand):<\/strong> 8 &#8211; 10%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Lecta (Spain):<\/strong> 10-12%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Mitsubishi HiTec Paper (Japan):<\/strong> 15%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Jujo Thermal (Finland):<\/strong> 12%\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Domtar (North America):<\/strong> 12%<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-23{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-23 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-23{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-23 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-23{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-23 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-23{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-24 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-24 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-23{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-23{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-23 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Why Are Prices Increasing?<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-25\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So why are we seeing these companies increase their prices? Many are citing the following issues as the source:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raw material shortage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Freight prices<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Logistic issues and costs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-24{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-24 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-24{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-24 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-24{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-24 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-24{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-25 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-25 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-24{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-24{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-24 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Raw Material Depletion\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div ><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none\"><img width=\"800\" height=\"533\" alt=\"Raw materials for labels sit in a warehouse waiting to be moved.\" title=\"Raw Paper Material Image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rawpaper-800x533.png\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-8019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rawpaper-200x133.png 200w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rawpaper-400x267.png 400w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rawpaper-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rawpaper-800x533.png 800w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rawpaper.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1064px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-26\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prices for materials like resin escalated throughout 2020 despite limited availability. Market prices ended the year continuing to peak, with polyethylene (PE) prices up $0.24\/lb and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/polypropylene-bopp-labels\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">polypropylene<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (PP) prices up $0.29\/lb at the end of December.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The supply and demand for pulp has also driven upmarket prices, which are already spilling over into 2021. North American producer Resolute scheduled an increase to their prices on northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) $110\/tonne and southern bleached softwood kraft (SBSK) $130\/tonne starting February 1. Fluff pulp is also expected to rise $65\/tonne in both North America and Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-25{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-25 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-25{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-25 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-25{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-25 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-25{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-26 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-26 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-25{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-25{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-25 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Freight Prices On the Rise\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div ><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none\"><img width=\"800\" height=\"449\" alt=\"A container ship along a port transports supplies and goods.\" title=\"Container Ship Image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/container-ship-arriving-commercial-port-800x449.png\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-8024\"\/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-27\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Further driving up industry prices are increases in freight. According to Freightos.com, 77% of importers said they experienced disruptions in shipping due to Covid-19, with conditions not expected to change in the first quarter of 2021 as the supply chain attempts to recover.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">T<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">he demand for more products has pushed shipping to maximum capacity, causing freight rates to soar to an all-time high not seen within the last decade. By the end of December 2020, they were up 6.0% YoY, double than what they were just the previous month at 3.0% YoY.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expenditures also reached an all-time high in December 2020, maxing out the year at 13.0% YoY, more than double the 5.7% YoY in November.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to the increased shipping, a shortage in containers has led to further price hikes. Carriers are changing their rates, adding new surcharges and leasing prices. This is causing a disruption in the maritime supply chain process and creating havoc for shippers, which could have long-term damaging effects if the market doesn\u2019t bounce back.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-26{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-26 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-26{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-26 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-26{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-26 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-26{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-27 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-27 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-26{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-26{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-26 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Logistics Obstacles\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div ><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-3 hover-type-none\"><img width=\"800\" height=\"450\" alt=\"A truck drives on the highway to show one method of transportation.\" title=\"Transportation Image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/truck-runs-highway-with-speed-800x450.png\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-8025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/truck-runs-highway-with-speed-200x113.png 200w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/truck-runs-highway-with-speed-400x225.png 400w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/truck-runs-highway-with-speed-600x338.png 600w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/truck-runs-highway-with-speed-800x450.png 800w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/truck-runs-highway-with-speed-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/truck-runs-highway-with-speed.png 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1064px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-28\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Freight costs aren\u2019t the only factor leading to price increases. Port congestion has led to further supply chain disruptions, causing a bottleneck effect at many main ports. Import volumes skyrocketed in the back half of 2020, which caused dwell times to double what they were as dozens of ships waited offshore for docking space to become available.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Along with ocean ways struggling under the weight of supply chain turmoil, roadways are dealing with their own problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Container movement through port facilities has seen empty containers quickly sent back to Asia instead of moving inland to other states, where valuable goods are waiting to be shipped.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Companies are having difficulty recruiting new drivers in order to keep up with high demands as state CLD (certified drivers license) agencies are limited or closed due to lockdown restrictions. This reduces in-person instruction and on-the-road training needed to get new drivers certified, leading to an industry-wide shortage.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-27{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-27 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-27{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-27 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-27{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-27 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-27{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-28 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-28 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-27{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-27{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-27 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Longer Lead Times Are Unavoidable\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-29\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When combined, the above factors have contributed to the disruption of the label supply chain, making standard lead times much longer than normal. Lead times for supplies that would typically take days have been stretched to weeks amid the chaos.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The boom of eCommerce orders saw many smaller businesses buying <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/zebra-zd620-printer-review\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">desktop printers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/guide-to-creating-a-shipping-label\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shipping and barcode labels<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These printers use <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/direct-thermal-labels.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">direct thermal labels<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and as a result, they are currently harder to obtain than thermal transfer. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-28{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-28 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-28{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-28 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-28{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-28 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-28{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-29 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-29 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-28{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-28{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-28 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Adapting to Early Pandemic Changes in 2020<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-30\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Companies like Grace Imaging were proactive in early 2020, which ended up greatly benefiting them as supplies progressively depleted throughout the year. Grace Imaging increased their inventory in mid-March 2020, allowing them the continued ability to ship because they had the materials to do so when other label companies were unable to.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another label converter, Great Lakes Label, said they had some disruption because of the pandemic and had to enact a secondary material supplier due to changes in the supply chain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other companies are citing \u201cpotential\u201d supply chain issues and have stated that the pandemic hasn\u2019t truly affected them, but with the above data showing the chaos 2020 brought to the label industry, there are no doubts that any \u201cpotential\u201d supply chain issues affecting companies are a reality.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-29{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-29 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-29{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-29 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-29{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-29 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-29{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-30 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-30 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-29{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-29{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-29 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Where Do We Go From Here?<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-31\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Predictions for the 2021 supply chain market are hopeful, however, nothing is certain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts are speculating things could normalize within a couple of months but with how unpredictable 2020 was and how current prices for label materials are on the rise until further notice, there\u2019s no telling when that could be.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adapting to the longer lead time dilemma as best as possible should be the main focus for label industry companies moving forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-30{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-30 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-30{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-30 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-30{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-30 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-30{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-31 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-31 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-32\"><p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*Editor&#8217;s Note: This article was published on February 16, 2021. It will continue to be updated as new information on the subject is made available.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-30{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-30{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-30 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-four\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;\"><h4 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>References<\/strong><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-33\"><ul>\n<li>https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/187443\/quarterly-e-commerce-sales-in-the-the-us<\/li>\n<li>Fastmarkets RISI<\/li>\n<li>https:\/\/www.plasticstoday.com\/resin-pricing\/weekly-resin-report-recapping-mad-mad-mad-mad-year-resin-market<\/li>\n<li>https:\/\/www.plasticstoday.com\/resin-pricing\/weekly-resin-report-unique-set-circumstances-creates-uniquely-challenging-market&amp;sa=D&amp;ust=1611930789275000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Ex4yorVoz1obbO1URp_Om<\/li>\n<li>https:\/\/www.freightos.com\/freight-resources\/coronavirus-updates\/<\/li>\n<li>https:\/\/www.labelandnarrowweb.com\/issues\/2020-07-01\/view_features\/mid-year-economic-report\/<\/li>\n<li>https:\/\/briansblog.idimages.com\/order-early-and-order-often\/<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-31{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-31 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-31{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-31 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-31{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-31 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-31{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When the pandemic hit, online orders skyrocketed from the nationwide shutdowns. This generated a huge increase in label supplies, causing material shortages. Now the pressure sensitive label industry is experiencing record breaking lead times, leaving customers and businesses scrambling to find a solution while they wait for orders. Here&#8217;s what we know and what we can expect moving forward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":12647,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[59],"tags":[],"acf":{"theme_color":"","estimated_reading_time":15,"include_in_most_popular_sidebar":false,"hero_splash_image":12645,"grid_listing_thumbnail":12646,"sidebar_most_popular_thumbnail":12648},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.7.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Industry Lead Times - Barcode Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Online orders skyrocketed during the 2020 pandemic, generating an increase in label supplies that has caused material shortages and long lead times.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/industry-lead-times\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Industry Lead Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Online orders skyrocketed during the 2020 pandemic, generating an increase in label supplies that has caused material shortages and long lead times.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/industry-lead-times\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Barcode Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/smithcoronalabels\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-01-29T19:04:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-12-27T20:25:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Alaina D&#039;Altorio\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Industry Lead Times\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@sclabels\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@sclabels\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Alaina D'Altorio\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"48 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/industry-lead-times\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/industry-lead-times\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Alaina D'Altorio\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/1b9fc3da02d7f7eb09679c7abc90ba43\"},\"headline\":\"Industry Lead Times\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-01-29T19:04:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-12-27T20:25:21+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/industry-lead-times\/\"},\"wordCount\":23541,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"articleSection\":[\"Industry News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/industry-lead-times\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/industry-lead-times\/\",\"name\":\"Industry Lead Times - 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