Hurricane Harvey has created a major upset in the piping world. All the major resin manufacturer’s are based in Houston, causing some issues for the industry. Harvey caused all resin manufacturer’s to shut down for days. Getting trucks and trains into Houston has been next to impossible. This has caused a major panic among pipe manufacturers and distribution centers. Panic rationing and buying has been the norm for several weeks now, causing a major shortage in pipe supply. Pricing for PVC pipe jumped twenty to fifty percent overnight. Although, HDPE pipe prices are not climbing as fast, lead times are two to fourteen weeks.
Manufacturer’s are even telling companies they won’t accept purchase orders since if they are not a regular customers; saving what resin and pipe they have for loyal customers. It pays to be loyal in this industry and we will help our customers as much as we can during this shortage.
