Label materials beginning to become scare

Label materials, especially from mainland Europe, have started to attract long lead times due to the manufacture and transportation.

One specialist material that is manufactured in Poland has been quoted as a 16-week lead time when typically, this would be two weeks.

First Choice Labels is actively sourcing alternative, British-manufactured material where possible but prices may vary when a substitute is offered.

Managing Director Nigel Willis said: “All of our customers can be assured that we use a state-of-the-art material stock-holding system which allows us to predict usage and order accordingly. However, the current events are pushing this estimating to the limits.”

One way customers can avoid long lead times or higher prices is to forward order. This way materials can be procured well in advance and converted when needed.

First Choice Labels is offering all customers the option to place second or third orders with scheduled delivery dates. Only orders delivered will be invoiced. We can also offer customers the ability to order twice the quantity required and the balance will be held at our factory ready for same-day despatch when called off before 12 noon.