b'SUPPLY CHAINMeanwhile in 2021, the aggregate market in Ontario was busy and saw a spike in demand driven chiefly by the private commercial sector. This has led to inventory challenges for some producers and price increases stayed relatively low. Looking ahead to 2022, theTIPS ON MANAGING aggregate market may be forced to pass along higher commodity costs in the form of higher prices to customers. THE SUPPLY CHAINThesupplychainforlabourisalsobecomingmoredifficultHere are some steps to explore developed to manage. OSSGA members say the industry has had difficultyby supply chain experts:findingskilledworkersforquitesometime,asituationthats becomeacutewiththepandemic.Literallyeverypositionin the aggregate production process is becoming hard to fill, says1. Take advantage of sale pricing on Gordon. We are also having difficulty finding subcontractors formaterials and stockpile needed work needed at our sites.commodities when the opportunity arises. GOING FORWARDThough some commodity prices flattened in 2021, a closer look2.at prices in the last year is needed to see what the future holds.Take a look at your inventory approach For materials such as steel, parts, equipment and vehicles, priceand decide whether it needs to change increases since the start of COVID have been steep, with steelbased on the current supply chain topping the list at around 50 per cent. situation. For now, the just in time inventory approach wont work.Economistssayanumberofdevelopmentscausedbythe pandemiccouldresultinalengthierperiodofrisingprices3. andlongerwaittimesonorders.ThesedevelopmentsincludeConsider in your hiring approach to shortages of materials and skilled labour, countries looking at in- include inducements (e.g., immediate house sourcing of critical materials, and wage increases to attractbenefits when hired, longer vacation as domestic workers in an attempt to eliminate the uncertainty ofa new hire, incentives or bonus systems, offshore supply.etc.) that will attract the right people for What can aggregate producers do to manage these supply chainthe company.issues caused by the pandemic? The key to this is planning, states Gordon. Get ahead of the supply chain problems by starting your planning many months earlier than in the past. Most of all, get creative in your planning process.The bottom line is that current supply chain challenges should be looked at in the long term. Producers need to get engaged in managing their way through these difficult times. The challenges [facing] the aggregate business have ramped up because of the pandemic, says Armstrong. The problem is that we do not, as yet, have COVID in the rearview mirror. Producers have to do the best that they can with the tools they have to continue to weather the storm.WE BUILD MORE WITH LESS. Lafarge offers aggregates, recycled aggregates, engineered soil, roller compacted concrete. fill management services and solutions. Our technical expertise and www.lafarge.castate-of-the-art plants, and commitment to innovation allow us to produce a wideLLAFARGE range of performance materials. Lafarge is committed to sustainable construction and delivers environmentally responsible solutions for your needs. WINTER 2022AVENUES 9'