Both operators and suppliers are also looking for and finding alternative products to overcome shortages , as well as trying to route supplies through alternative ports . In this second installment about how to manage through the supply chain challenge , we discuss tactics and best practices .
Again , HOTELS talked to Carl Long , senior vice president , Purchasing Management International , Dallas , Texas ; Chip McIntyre , senior vice president of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement , Avendra Group , Rockville , Maryland ; Jerry Zeitner , COO , The Gettys Group Companies , Chicago ; Erica Slaw , senior director of Capital Planning , Hersha Hospitality Trust , Philadelphia ; as well as Shahid Javed , executive vice president of procurement for Aimbridge Hospitality , Plano , Texas .
HOTELS : What have you done to manage through ( pivots , new ideas , new specs , etc .)? Carl Long : We have worked very hard with our clients to develop sourcing strategies that minimize the delivery risk for their projects . This includes starting earlier on projects to give input on material specifications and production locations .
Early on in a design process , if we are working with the owner and interior designer to incorporate the sourcing strategy into how the specifications are written that translates to a better delivery outcome . We have also been fortunate to work with qualified interior design firms that know how to write a buyable , biddable specification .
The best way we have navigated these challenges is to stay connected in terms of communication . Our transparent communication to the owners , contractors , designers and manufacturers increases everyone ’ s commitment to creative problem solving and managing to successful deliveries .
Chip McIntyre : Helping customers with substitute products ; getting the ‘ normal ’ items stocked and available . After the shut down last year , many products were “ emptied out ” of the supply chain . So , we have had to re-fill it .
We are also thinking creatively to find ‘ workarounds ’ to the normal supply chain . For example , if a particular distributor is out of product in a geography , can we get it from another distributor ? Or , is there a geography nearby that can help ? Or , is there a substitute product our customer can use that will not create a negative impact on operations ?
Jerry Zeitner : The immediate answer was to find North American manufacturers to counter act the freight problems . This has proved to be very difficult for several reasons :
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