COVID-19 has impacted the foodservice industry in many ways and receiving new kitchen equipment in a timely manner has been no exception.
There is a lot of planning that goes with ordering new equipment for a club kitchen, especially when renovating a club’s kitchen, ordering several pieces at once, or even needing to quickly replace out-of-order equipment. Unfortunately, lead times for new commercial equipment can greatly impact the process.
Lead time is the amount of time between process initiation and completion. Depending on the equipment ordered and who it was purchased through, lead times will most likely have a wide range from just a few days to several months, especially during current supply chain shortages. With different situations for every company and such varied availability of products, the only way to know a more exact lead time would be to contact the company directly.
The digital world offers an endless selection of kitchen equipment. Advantages to online shopping are that you can easily compare and contrast different brands, find different styles, and compare vendor pricing. The disadvantages, however, are that you do not get to see or test the equipment in real life. Shipping can be also hefty due to the size and weight of the item, although some online suppliers cover the shipping costs.
When purchasing equipment in person, it might be easier to get a more accurate lead time from a sales member who is witnessing the current ordering and delivery process daily. However, if the product needed is expected to have a long lead team, a sales member can also quickly and easily find a similar product that will still fit a kitchen’s needs.
If needing to immediately replace equipment, such as equipment that is no longer working, buying used equipment is always a possibility when in a bind. Sadly, since many restaurants do not make it beyond their first couple of years, gently used equipment can easily be found. There are pros and cons to used equipment, but when lead times are just too long, buying used equipment could be the best solution.
COVID-19 brought about global supply chain challenges, which have led to circumstances such as limited shipping containers, shortages in raw material, and increased freight costs. And while the availability of some equipment has improved, many manufacturers’ standard lead times have still been impacted.