Team Insight

THE ANNUAL GOALS/NETS VENDOR ROUNDTABLE EXAMINES THE ISSUES IMPACTING THE BUSINESS IN 2024. BY MICHAEL JACOBSEN EQUIPMENT/ GOALS AND NETS GOOD AS GOALS Let's get right to it: Has the supply chain situation worked itself out? Andrew Peterson, Gared: e supply chain challenges of recent years have largely been resolved, but persistent issues in the Red Sea have continued to impact container costs and delay deliveries beyond the usual timelines. Matt Klein, Champro: We are starting to see a more consistent schedule and our planning has become more predictable. is has given us the ability to provide our products to our customers in a timely manner. Steve Vogelsang, Gill Athletics: Supply chain lead times and freight costs have largely returned to normal. Primary lingering effects of the COVID-impacted supply chain are inflationary material prices and challenging labor availability. Neil Halvorson, Trigon: Yes, we have seen noticeable improvement over the last year. Transportation costs continue to level off, along with increased availability of raw materials. Russ Schirmer, Carron Net: For the products we make the supply chain is straightened out, but a lot of that has to do with the fact that our nets are made here with U.S or North American materials. Hence our raw materials don't have a long way to go to get to us. Chris Livingston, Bison: We've been lucky to avoid supply chain issues for a year or so, but it does help that we manufacture a large majority of our products here in Lincoln, NB. Any further challenges expected in 2024? Klein: We are monitoring our global supply chain to ensure our data is as accurate as possible. We have been working hard to validate our forecasts throughout the selling season to better supply our customers' expectations and provide the products needed at the right time. Halvorson: Of course, we always expect challenges. But we also look for opportunities. And we see great opportunities with our expanding product lines and our commitment to team dealers. Livingston: e challenge for 2024 will be to adjust to the end user's lower budgets and plan accordingly. Peterson: We aren't expecting any major challenges, but the continued growth in the sports equipment industry may cause longer lead times for our core products. Schirmer: e challenges remain with the cost of raw materials and labor. Although the inflationary trend has subsided and, in a few cases, reversed, we haven't seen any price decreases from our suppliers. We have added additional staff to keep up with demand for our nets, but there is a cost to acquire, train and retain the talent. Like other businesses, we also see folks leave the workforce (retire). One of our long-term production teammates retired earlier this year aer sewing over a quarter of a million volleyball, tennis, badminton, paddleball and pickleball nets during her long career. at experience isn't replaced overnight. So what can team dealers and their customers expect for product availability and delivery later this year? Vogelsang: A return to normal. Our lead times and inventory levels are back to historical averages, if not improved slightly. Halvorson: Our team dealers can expect us have plenty of inventory available in our key product lines in football, baseball/soball, soccer and basketball, in addition to our commitment to ship most orders within 24 hours. Klein: Our planning team has been consistently and diligently reviewing our demand cycles to stay proactive and responsive to our customers' needs and market trends. Our inventory is in a strong position throughout the year. Peterson: Customers can anticipate us remaining ahead of the curve with regard 30 • Team Insight ~ May/June 2024 teaminsightmag.com AT THE TABLE Chris Livingston Sales Manager, Bison Russ Schirmer Director of Sales, Carron Net Matt Klein Senior Product Manager, Champro Andrew Peterson VP–Sales, Gared Performance Sports Systems Steve Vogelsang VP–Sales & Marketing, Team Sports, Gill Athletics/Porter Athletic Mike Cunningham National Business Development Manager, Gill Athletics Neal Halvorson National Sales Manager, Trigon Sports

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