“We’re proud that our employees and customers have wholeheartedly supported our annual tradition to help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the groundbreaking work they do to treat children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases,” said Keith Kramer, chief operating officer of Munch’s Supply.

Although 2021’s event was virtual, the Munch’s Supply team worked to raise more than $24,000 – its highest-ever fundraising amount. This put Munch’s Supply in second place out of the 127 St. Jude Walk/Run teams in the Chicago area. New this year, Munch’s Supply raised funds through a Senior Leadership Match Days campaign with its management team. The company also offered an online Munch’s Supply/St. Jude Summer Fun Store where employees and customers could purchase special items (such as T-shirts and electronics items) with purchase proceeds going to St. Jude. Other activities included raffles for customers and employees along with traditional participant donations.

True Eco Homes Announces New Products Available From Goodman and Direct Comfort

True Eco Homes announced that it is carrying new air conditioning and heating systems from Goodman and Direct Comfort available to purchase through its online store.

“With providing an unmatched level of customer service while simultaneously offering the most affordable solutions on the products in our store, we are excited to have the opportunity to work with two powerhouses in the industry that align with our core values,” said James Roberts, True Eco Homes.

“We take pride in what we do and look forward to growing our foothold in the ecommerce HVAC industry and bringing on new manufacturers that help us offer a well-rounded lineup of solutions for our customers.”

Poehling and Maiale Receive ASA Fred V. Keenan Lifetime Achievement Award

First Supply Chairman Joe Poehling and InSinkErator Vice President of Wholesale Supply Joe Maiale are the recipients of the 2021 ASA Fred V. Keenan Lifetime Achievement Award.

Poehling and Maiale were both honored on November 10 at the ASA Member Lunch, part of NETWORK2021 in Las Vegas at the JW Marriott Resort and Spa.

The Keenan Award is presented to individuals with a long history of service and dedication to the PHCP-PVF industry. To be considered, individuals must have exhibited strong influence on the current status of the industry, project a positive industry image, and have provided a history of dedicated service to the American Supply Association.

Poehling and Maiale join 10 other individuals who have received this award since its inception: Fred Keenan (for whom the award was named), Karl Neupert, Ed Felten (of First Supply), John McDonald, John Martin, Frank Finkel, Nick Giuffre, Morris Beschloss, Joel Becker and Dottie Ramsey. The ASA Executive Committee accepted the recommendation of the Keenan Award Selection Committee to add Poehling and Maiale.

Poehling served as ASA president in 2009 and chairman of the board in 2010. Additionally, his efforts in leadership roles with the ASA Education Foundation helped bring the Karl E. Neupert Endowment Fund past $10 million through his personal outreach to companies.

Anderson Predicts Supply Chain Disruptions Beyond 2024

Manufacturing and supply chain consultant Lisa Anderson, MBA, CSCP, CLTD, president of LMA Consulting Group Inc., predicts that supply chain disruption will continue well beyond 2024.

“The supply chain disruption is real and will last for quite some time,” Anderson said. Every supply chain is a complex set of connections that spans from the supplier’s suppliers to product or service accessibility for the end-user.

LMA Consulting Group works with manufacturers and distributors on strategy and end-to-end supply chain transformation to maximize the customer experience and enable profitable, scalable, dramatic business growth.

“Let’s look at the ‘why’ of the disruption. If you remove industry nuances, there are three main causes of the disruption. The first cause is labor. The pandemic exacerbated the ongoing drain of skilled ‘boomer’ workers, many of whom took early retirement. The pandemic also caused workers to reassess their priorities. That resulted in people deciding that they didn’t like their industry or job or their boss. This has manifested into what many are calling the Great Resignation,” said Anderson.

Labor shortages exist in almost every industry and position. “Manufacturing, transportation, distribution — none of these industries are exempt. And, most of these industries affect the consumer, who has felt the supply chain pinch the worst,” she added.

The second reason for supply chain disruption is misalignment. “The pandemic caused a shift in demand. When people experienced an out-of-stock, they found new products that were either similar or better. This shift caused a supply chain misalignment: having the wrong products in the wrong places at the wrong time. So, even when the original products were in place, the demand was no longer there because it had shifted,” Anderson explained.

The most expensive reason for supply chain disruptions is equipment.

“There is a shortage of equipment in all sectors. This includes chassis used to off-load trailers from ships. Trucks are in short supply, and laws are requiring equipment upgrades. Medical device equipment, farming and construction equipment, food processing equipment and equipment needed for technological upgrades are all in short supply,” Anderson noted.

“It all comes down to creating a never-ending supply chain circle, almost like the supply chain is chasing its proverbial tail. I don’t see that this is easily solvable by initiating new laws or enticing workers with more money. Sure, it can help, but it’s not an easy fix. It will take recognizing that there may be no new normal.

“Essentially, the supply chain will be in a constant state of evolution. The successful manufacturers will be adaptive, resilient and forward-thinking as they respond to changes in demand and recognize an ever-evolving supply chain,” she concluded.