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Here at Gee, we are all fully aware that Mother Nature is unpredictable in her manner. She can prescribe a mild friendly winter, or unleash a fury that is difficult for man and beast alike to cope with. When weather descends upon us in a sequential fashion, one storm after another, local, regional and manufacturer reserves can be taxed to the maximum degree. It is imperative that all parties in the supply chain including end users monitor and maintain de-icer reserves at a level that will provide a safe margin of reserves without expensive inventories carried forward into the following season. With that premise in mind, there are several things to consider and plan for within your winter storm management program. We take pride in our dedicated team who make deliveries frequently�in less than twenty four hours�from the time the call was received.
When the full wrath of winter descends upon us it is best to have a plan firmly in place or you risk operating from behind the eight ball! Not a good place to be. Within the industry, we talk about having the pipeline full ahead of time before the storm arrives! This is an all inclusive statement that encompasses all aspects of preparedness for winter operation, including lines of supply for chemical de-icers, equipment needs and repairs, additions etc. and any other aspect that is normally encountered during these operations. For the sake of this discussion, we will focus only on the line of supply for chemical de-icers.
All de-icers, liquid and granular must be transported into the region via truck or rail. Trucking is usually the quicker of the two, but most expensive. Rail is less expensive but takes longer and is sometimes unreliable. When severe winter driving conditions are upon us both trucking and rail deliveries can come to a halt. Several days may pass before shipments get back to normal. Meanwhile your reserves may become strained. Regional reserves may be tapped into and completely depleted faster than supplies can be replenished. Lines of supply struggle particularly in winter conditions to accommodate the surges in demand that such weather brings. It is an irony that requires pre-planning.
To maintain the necessary reserves there are some considerations that must be worked out. First, you must measure your de-icer needs for a given storm. Typically, you need storage for at least three storms to cushion the lag time for supplies to arrive before their supply is fully depleted. For this reason it is critical for agencies and private sector management to establish lines of supply with reputable and capable suppliers that have established reserves to carry them through the most severe and demanding winter storms.
Second, you must determine the de-icer usage per storm, plus factor in for emergencies, to come up with an approximate amount needed for the season. This is commonly based on the average number of storms in a given season in your area. Here at Gee Asphalt, we measure our de-icer volumes in the same manner by taking the collective total needs of our de-icer clients and making projections accordingly. Because we want to serve you better and anticipate your needs, we have the storage necessary to meet and significantly exceed client demands even during the toughest winter weather.
At Gee Asphalt we place great value on timely deliveries and a supply that will not run short in a pinch. In fact, not only will your order be delivered on time, but in most cases we can get it to you ahead of the schedule. And if you need more, we're only a phone call away! What a concept! Let us show you what we're made of and how effective we are at helping you be more efficient at your business. Order early and stay in touch and you will find yourself ahead of the curve and probably ahead of your neighbor as well!
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