Rising value of plumbing supplies impacts native enterprise

SPARKS, Nev. (KOLO) – Jet plumbing, heating and drainage services are facing a supply shortage. Jim Walker, president of the company, struggled to get what he needed for his customers in a timely manner.

Walker said he was struggling with his orders and received them four times later than usual.

Plumbing manufacturers and mills have played catch-up after the shutdown during this pandemic, but construction has not stopped. Walker said this makes the amount of inventory available very limited and difficult to come by.

“Every little bit in the supply chain creates so many problems and such a ripple effect,” said Walker.

With high demand for plumbing services, but with a low plumbing inventory. Walker said the cost is skyrocketing.

“Everything has gone up so much in price and if the supply chain is in place hopefully the stuff will go down, but we’ve seen prices like never before,” explained Walker.

According to the Independent Pipe and Supply Corporation, the price of hot rolled coils has increased nearly 80% since January 2020, copper has increased 75%, and steel pipe has seen a 138% increase in the past eight months.

“When people have a problem of any kind, they call and expect to get service, and if there’s nothing we can do about the inventory, it gets a lot harder,” said Walker.

Walker said the effects of this pandemic are becoming clearer the more America opens up again. The owners are hoping for a change in supply to keep their businesses afloat.

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