As a valued partner of Comtrad Strategic Sourcing, we want to ensure you’re well-prepared for any potential supply chain disruptions caused by the upcoming Chinese New Year. This annual celebration significantly impacts production timelines for companies sourcing hardware from China, including our CGS line of decorative and functional hardware like doorknobs, hinges, sliders, and barn door kits.
Chinese New Year, celebrated in late January or early February, brings with it a widespread shutdown of manufacturing and logistics across China, effects often lasting up to 6 to 8 weeks. January 29, 2025, marks the beginning of the “Year of the Snake.” The official government holiday will run from January 28 to February 3. However, some factories may shut down earlier, and most will be closed for 4-8 weeks. In the coming three years, the new year will be celebrated on these dates:
– February 17, 2026 – Year of the Horse
– February 6, 2027 – Year of the Sheep
– January 26, 2028 – Year of the Monkey
This extended break can create ripple effects throughout global supply chains, particularly for businesses relying on Chinese imports.
Avoid Delays in Your Orders With CGS and Comtrad Strategic Sourcing
Here’s how Chinese New Year could affect your hardware orders and what you can do to avoid delays:
1. Production Shutdowns
During Chinese New Year, factories in China typically close, sometimes for up to six weeks. This means any orders placed close to the holiday may not be processed until after the break, extending lead times significantly. With factory workers traveling to their hometowns, production halts entirely, and orders already in the queue may see delays in completion.
2. Longer Lead Times
As manufacturers ramp up production before the holiday, there’s often a rush to complete orders. This can strain factory capacity, resulting in longer lead times both before and after Chinese New Year. Additionally, once factories reopen, it can take time to get back to full operational capacity due to staffing delays and backlogged orders.
3. Shipping Delays
Shipping companies and freight forwarders in China also experience downtime during the holiday, further delaying shipments. Ports may be congested as a backlog of goods piles up, causing further delays once normal operations resume. This could affect your inventory replenishment timelines and lead to shortages.
4. Price Increases
In some cases, suppliers may increase prices leading up to Chinese New Year to accommodate higher production costs, or simply due to the surge in demand as companies rush to get their orders in before the holiday shutdown.
What You Can Do to Minimize Delays
To ensure smooth operations and avoid potential disruptions, we strongly encourage all our partners to place their orders as early as possible. By planning ahead and submitting orders well before the holiday, you can mitigate the risk of delays and ensure you have the hardware you need to keep your business running smoothly. Here are a few proactive steps to take:
Order Early
Placing your orders in November or early December will give our suppliers ample time to complete production and ship your products before the holiday closures. For any orders you would want to receive in March/April, you should start discussing them with your suppliers by around September/October. When planning schedules, it is a good idea to take past data into account and consider what may or may not happen globally. It is essential to forecast your inventory needs far in advance and consider many factors when developing your ordering schedule.
Increase Inventory
Consider increasing your stock levels to cover the period from late January to February, ensuring you have enough hardware on hand to meet customer demands.
Communicate with Us
Stay in close contact with your Comtrad account representative to get real-time updates on your order status. We’re here to help manage your supply chain and ensure you stay ahead of any potential disruptions. Contact us here.
Final Thoughts
Chinese New Year is a wonderful time for celebration and family in China, but it can create challenges for supply chains across the globe. By taking proactive steps now and working closely with Comtrad, you can minimize any potential impacts and keep your projects on track.
Don’t wait—get your orders in early and let us handle the rest! Reach out to your account representative today to discuss your hardware needs leading into the holiday season.
Browse our products to get an early order in and avoid delays due to Chinese New Year.
If you have a custom order, now is the best time to order to avoid communications and shipping delays. Inquire about custom orders now.