As we enter the Fourth of July weekend, CJ Logistics America would like to thank the members of our warehouse and transportation teams who are keeping the supply chain moving to deliver the food and CPG products consumers need on the holiday and every day. And, we wish for everyone a safe Independence Day.
To mark the Declaration of Independence, officially adopted on July 4, 1776, John Adams called for “Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” Today, the Fourth of July fireworks displays around the country – around 16,000 each year, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) – would seem to reflect his “bonfires and illuminations.”
This year, even as some communities in the Western US are cancelling fireworks displays out of concern about starting wildfires during a heat wave, the APA expects backyard Fourth of July fireworks festivities to increase, with many Americans seeming ready to celebrate the end of pandemic restrictions along with Independence Day.
At the same time, reporting leading up to the holiday weekend indicates concern about a fireworks shortage and higher prices for available products. In a June 28 statement, the APA said fireworks retailers are seeing a shortage nationwide due to shipping delays and other supply chain issues. Plus, last year, according to the APA, the US consumer fireworks industry reported “unprecedented sales” with revenue almost doubling from $1 billion in 2019 to $1.9 billion in 2020. The APA attributes the higher prices to the latest shortage and the “substantial increase in transportation-related costs.”
The shortage of fireworks supplies probably won’t have an impact on professional fireworks displays, according to Business Insider. Since many community events were cancelled last year because of the pandemic, most professional fireworks companies have a surplus.
While CJ Logistics America is not involved in the fireworks supply chain, we do specialize in providing holistic, large-scale warehousing and transportation solutions for customers in regulated industries such as food and beverage, healthcare and medical supplies, tire and automotive, and consumer packaged goods. Our industry and customers are experiencing unique challenges right now, creating significant cost and service sensitivities. The rebounding economy, port congestion, capacity tightening and commodity shortages are putting pressure on almost every aspect of the supply chain. We are collaborating closely with customers to accelerate continuous improvement and innovation, pushing beyond boundaries and constraints. For more information about our services:
