Don’t run out! That is my advice when a vendor approaches a new customer (distributor or operator). Don’t run out of inventory.
Years ago, when I started in distribution, a company I liked working with ran out of a key commodity item. I found another vendor and didn’t buy that item from the first company again.
Operators expect foodservice distributors to fulfill their promise to deliver product at a very high fill rate. The number I hear most often is 99.5% fill rate to customers.
Still today, we’re coping with worldwide supply chain challenges brought on by COVID, leaving ample inventories at risk.
There are a multitude of reasons vendors aren’t filling orders today.
- Import container shortages
- COVID
- Labor shortages
In the end, our operators need product to serve consumers. Manufacturers need to consistently reallocate resources, staying current with global events.
