‘Matter of survival’: Small businesses feel squeeze left by global supply chain crisis
Global News
With the winter holiday nearly in full swing, late shipments and bare shelves could be disastrous for the busiest sales season of the year.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Helmi Ansari could get espresso makers and stainless steel water bottles manufactured within three months and delivered to Canada by boat for about US$4,500 per shipping container.
Between labour shortages, rising stainless steel costs and overwhelmed ports, those days are long gone. Ansari’s products now take almost a year to make, and he pays about US$28,500 to get 10,000 of them to Canada — assuming he can get them shipped at all.
He’s often outbid for boat spots and has to stop shipping companies from sending his goods back to the factory by offering more cash.
“All our margins are gone. We’re selling product, but we’re not making any money,” said Ansari, who owns Grosche International in Cambridge, Ont.
“It’s insane. There’s absolutely no way that a small business like ours can really continue to cope with this.”
The pressures Ansari faces as he fights to keep his company alive are being mirrored by small businesses across the country.
They’re feeling the crunch of a tight labour market and supply chain challenges — semiconductor shortages, skyrocketing shipping costs, backed up ports and flooded regions of B.C. — but don’t have enough clout or cash to spend their way out of trouble.
The timing couldn’t be worse. With the winter holiday nearly in full swing, late shipments and bare shelves could be disastrous for the busiest sales season of the year.
Toronto Police say five people have been injured and four of them have been arrested after a crash in Scarborough involving a stolen vehicle.
Parents in the Halifax area are voicing concerns as children have been finding drug paraphernalia in their neighbourhoods. In one case, a child was pricked by a discarded needle.
Voters in Nova Scotia are heading to the polls today as the province holds an election to determine if Tim Houston and the Progressive Conservatives will remain in power.
On Monday, Trump vowed to slap a 25 per cent tariff on all products coming from Canada and Mexico on his first day back in office.
'A cherished member of the theatre community, his presence brought joy, heart and depth to every role, and his artistic contributions — and big hugs — will be deeply missed'
An Ontario man was restrained with duct tape last week after allegedly trying to open the door of a plane mid-flight, called himself the “captain" and injuring a flight attendant.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday called on provinces to 'step up' and get on board with the Liberals' plan to grant a tax holiday on some items for two months.
As authorities investigate the deaths of six tourists in Laos, here's what Canadians need to know about recognizing and preventing methanol poisoning while travelling.
Danielle Smith said the Alberta government is looking for ways to encourage pipeline companies to boost capacity and increase Alberta's oil and gas export volumes to the U.S.
'She thinks she's playing Robin Hood, and in actuality, she's putting these fishermen in a worse-off situation than they currently are,' one licence-holder said.
The Women and Children’s Shelter of Barrie in Ontario say they expect to turn away 650 women and children this year for service. It's a problem seen across Canada.