2021 is the year of the container shortage. Freight cost per tonne to some destinations went up several times over. Some customers moved to nearer suppliers; others locked in longer, guaranteed lead times with us.
Our response has been to publish confirmed lead times and stick to them, and to hold a bit more finished-goods inventory near port than we historically would.
Post-pandemic demand surge collides with a container shortage. Wire buyers want longer confirmed lead times and inventory near their factories.