Frozen or not, ice melt is in demand

Last year’s rough winter in many parts of the country – remember the frozen highway’s of Georgia? – continues to weigh on the collective mind of the hardware industry. 

The winter of 2013-14 caused depletion of calcium-chloride based ice melt, and encouraged retailers to stock up early for 2014-15. The result: there’s not a lot left to go around.

“For months we have been on an aggressive acquisition plan for product, and then have communicated to our customers the products available for shipment,” said Jeff Curler, senior VP of purchasing for Orgill. “More than ever before, the retailers have responded by securing product that goes beyond a typical one-week supply. 

At Memphis, Tennessee-based Orgill, the 2014-15 winter season has generated record sales of ice melt. 

“Retailers most likely felt they had missed an opportunity last year, and apparently were not going to let it happen again,” he said.

Across the industry, manufacturers have struggled to supply many ice melt products that are 100% calcium-chloride based, said Curler. While, there’s little to no ice-melt reserves available in the marketplace, the distributor continues to have rock salt and other products in the warehouse. 

There aren’t that many options for the retailer in the event of a massive ice storm. “The retailers should sell what they have, and be thankful for the foresight they had to stock up and buy early,” he said.