Updated 30 November 2021. Please click to read more details regarding delays in restocking.
PROFILIUM advises that the intense global demand for raw aluminium coupled with severe disruptions with producers in Europe have resulted in our partner Alusic, being badly affected by supply constraints leading to re-stocking delays.
30 November Update
Good news! Our shipment finally arrived at our premises on 29 November! Only 5 months late, but at least it is here now. But the bad news is that it appears a small number of the profiles have been damaged in transit. We will need to assess the damage before we can start placing items back into stock on the web-store.
Stock will progressively start to reappear on the Web Store as available to purchase from 1 December 2021 and should be completed by Friday 3 December.
Please also note our other News item regarding the forewarned price rise that commences with the arrival of this new shipment.
1 November Update
The good news is that our overdue stock shipment has finally departed Italy with the ship expected to arrive in Port Botany on 16 November 2021. However we have been warned that industrial action at the port means there is on-going congestion and there is a chance the unloading and clearance of the container could be further delayed.
The bad news is that the global aluminium shortage has meant that not all of the stock we ordered has been included in this next shipment. As a result, we will continue to have shortages of the following profiles:
Fortunately we have been advised by Alusic that the quantities of these profiles should be shipped shortly and so the expectation is that we should have those 3 profiles available around Christmas 2021 or possibly early 2022.
A small air-freight order containing some of the most used accessories such as t-nuts, bolts, clamping angles and end-caps is due to arrive in Sydney on 5 November. Web store stock levels will be updated as soon as items are confirmed as received.
Please note, that as Black Anodised profiles are a custom product and not kept as standard in-stock in Italy, we are expecting lengthy delays to restock these profiles as Alusic are giving priority to their standard, silver anodised lines.
The increased costs of sea-freight, air-freight and cost of aluminium for processing will require that we pass on the price rises imposed by Alusic and the shipping companies. More information will follow closer to the arrival of the next shipment.
What’s causing the shortages and shipping delays?
If you would like to read more about the issues behind the aluminium shortage and global shipping delays the following articles are useful:
- news.com.au – Global car industry to grind to a halt within weeks amid ‘catastrophic’ Chinese magnesium shortage explains the aluminium shortage and ongoing risks
- smh.com.au – Christmas chaos: Australia facing ‘disastrous’ shipping crisis, explains the sea freight issues.
- smh.com.au – The world economy’s supply chain problems keep getting worse, explains broader supply problems.
10 September Update
Unfortunately we have been advised by Alusic that our shipment remains delayed in Italy due to local stock shortages. We are in further communication to work out a way to have the shipment dispatched as quickly as possible. Current estimates suggest the shipment whilst delayed again, will still arrive at Port Botany around 9 November 2021, which means it will be delivered to our warehouse following customs clearances on approximately 15 November 2021.
Please note this is a dynamic situation and the above dates are subject to change. We will continue to provide updates as further information becomes available.
Unexpected delays
We apologise that we have again experienced stock shortages in recent weeks. In May 2021 we placed our largest ever order with our partner Alusic for shipping EXW-Italy. At the time of placing the order, we were advised that it would be ready for dispatch in mid-June 2021, meaning we expected to receive the container around late July.
Unfortunately, we were advised by Alusic in mid-June that they were experiencing supply issues that prevented our order from being dispatched until late July. We were subsequently advised that the global shortage of aluminium coupled with European supply chain constraints caused by COVID would mean that the shipment would not be fulfilled and dispatched until after the European summer shut down. Alusic have advised that the shipment is scheduled for dispatch in early September 2021.
At the time of writing, there also continue to be delays in global sea freight, with sea-freight transit times being close to double the pre-COVID timeframes. These delays also mean that sea-freight costs are escalating significantly, with a 400% price rise in sea-freight costs expected. Coupled with the global shortage of raw aluminium, we have been advised by Alusic that price rises are expected.
Forecast stock arrival
Based on the above, we forecast that this next shipment will not be delivered to our Sydney warehouse until approximately late October or early November 2021. Please understand this is our best guess based on incomplete and evolving information.
We apologise for these delays, which as you can appreciate, are outside our control. We are frustrated by this situation as it obviously not only impacts you, our customers, but reduces our capacity to expand and grow our business and continue to provide the great products and service that you all enjoy.
