The Marking Minute with Presco

Navigating Supply Chain Issues and Extended Lead Times

Supply chain delays have been in the headlines since early 2021. “It’s something we’re discussing and having conversations about on a day-to-day basis. It’s been crazy. No market, no industry appears immune from the challenges,” said Michael Smith, Business Development Manager at Presco. Presco is a part of its larger parent company, Trident. Trident has been handling the challenges by offering clients alternative resources. “Lead times have been affected tremendously. Starting two years ago, covid happens, and that lead to labor issues, supply chain issues, raw materials shortages. All the while, demand stayed high,” said Smith. The combination of these factors created an absolute halt on supplies. Inflation compounds these current issues. Bloomberg reported cancellations of supply ships from Asia due to lighter demand and inflation. Cancellations are likely to impact lead times. To mitigate challenges, Smith maintains transparency and sets expectations with clients. Now more than ever, customers, distributors, and end users must choose the alternative but similar products. “It’s more of ‘what do you have and how quickly can you get it to me?’” said Smith. Some materials are free from supply chain issues. “It really depends on the material. Some materials are getting to us very quickly… other products - not so much. It depends on the material that we need,” said Smith. Fortunately, it appears that the end is near. Boston Fed President, Susan Collins projected that the supply chain issues would slow down (ForexLive). In the meantime, distributors should work to maintain open communication with their clients. Prioritizing client relationships are essential to getting through this challenging time. For more information, visit tridentproducts.com or email Michael directly (msmith@presco.com).

Fiber-Build and FTTH Project Space with Erik Zimmer

When the onset of the pandemic pushed everyone back into their homes, one of our greatest assets became having uninterrupted access to the internet. While fiber to the home initiatives (FTTH) were on the up and coming prior to COVID-19, the pandemic brought a slush of funding and attention to the industry. National Account Manager of Trident Solutions-Presco, an infrastructure-focused electric company, Erik Zimmer sits down with host Tyler Kern to discuss the future of Electric Utilities and Electric Cooperatives in our communities. Nowadays, internet connectivity is extremely important. Zimmer said of his own experience during the height of at-home activities, “I’m working from home…And we had a DSL circuit from a local provider and we couldn't all four be connected at the same time,” and although Zimmer found a quick solution through fiber, he remarked on other experiences, “people had to start shift working, shift schooling” just to make things fit with their wifi. To fix these connectivity and broadband issues, Tier 1 electric companies couldn’t do much. But Tier 2 and 3 providers started looking towards fiber to the home solutions. Zimmer remarked on the work from home movement affecting the need for fiber, “Now all of sudden as people are contemplating ‘hey do I want to leave the city and move to a smaller town?’ they start looking at those communities, where #1, there’s already fiber to the home, or #2, there is an initiative and a movement, many times by the electric co-op, to drive fiber to the home.” With fiber, people who work in New York City can move to rural places and not worry about connectivity issues. Kids who learn in a hybrid environment can utilize learning tools online with high-speed connections. Even entertainment, Zimmer said, is important to decompress, “You need that stronger stream of data coming in to deliver that better quality.” To introduce fiber to the home, Trident-Solutions partners with these utilities and co-ops to help create the next step. Talking to those who are ready for what’s next in broadband, Zimmer said not to hesitate in talking with leadership, “Take action, get involved.” To learn more information about Trident Solutions-Presco and their fiber initiatives visit their website or connect with Erik Zimmer on LinkedIn.

How Do Our Products Fit in the RDOF and Utility Infrastructure Bill

The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, or RDOF, enacted in 2019, provides $20.4 billion in funding for rural broadband construction over ten years. Complementing this fund, the newly enacted Infrastructure and Jobs Act promises to bring much relief to the nation in similar projects. With the next decade primed for a flurry of activity, it’s critical supporting industries understand resources available, such as the allocation of available funds and product safety support. Host James Kent invited Mindy Reed, national account manager with Trident Solutions, Presco, and Bryan Holmes, VP of business development & engineering with Pro-Line Safety Products, both Trident Companies, on Marking Minute. The three discussed how the fund and legislation affects the industry and the wealth of opportunity available. Phase one of the RDOF bidding and awarding process is underway with many approved projects and delegated funds, but Holmes said bidding would soon be underway for phase two. “According to a report released November 10, 2021, the FCC authorized its fourth round of broadband deployments through RDOF,” Reed said. “Fifty broadband providers have provided the service of over 400,000 locations in 26 states… The bulk of today’s funding will go to the nonprofit, rural electric cooperatives to deploy broadband throughout the service areas.” Safety products are always a concern for these broadband initiatives, both above and below ground, and Holmes assured that the Trident family has solutions that are ready to assist. “Trident Solutions is a combination of four companies that are all industry leaders in their own right, and we all came together as a team,” Holmes said about Trident’s mission to help support these broadband and infrastructure initiatives. “Those companies’ — Pro-Line Safety Products, Rhino, Presco, and William Frick — core focus as a group all revolves around prevention of damage to utility assets and saving lives.”

Marking the Territory—Presco’s Role in the Invisible Pet Fence Industry

The growth in pet purchases over the pandemic caused an increased need for solutions to keep those pets safe. And, with traditional fencing not always within budget or visually aligned with the neighborhood, people have turned to invisible fences in increasing numbers.

The Importance of Marking Products in the Forestry Industry

Marking products are an invaluable tool in the forestry industry, as Sherry Qualls, Inside Sales Account Manager at Presco, explained to Marking Minute’s Tyler Kern. “Presco’s marking products, specifically our flexible PVC roll flagging tape, are utilized in the forestry industry year-round for many different purposes,” Qualls said. Marking products are an indispensable tool for the forestry industry, taking on jobs from marking and tagging trees for removal and harvesting by loggers to identifying unhealthy, diseased or hazardous trees, wildfire suppression, and trail marking.