Gasket Sourcing: How SRP Manages Supply Chain Challenges When They Arise

A supply chain disruption can be one of the most painful parts of doing business. Strategies like reshoring do make operations more resilient. However, the root causes of disruptions, including pandemics, extreme weather events and new tariffs, are beyond your control. As essential supplies become scarce and costs climb, your ability to deliver goods and earn profits is at stake.

Resilience is key to surviving and thriving through disruption. Your vendors play an important role.

At SRP, we understand the pressure. As an independently owned and operated converter of flexible materials, we’ve faced the same uncertainties. Getting back to normal requires a balance of patience and agility. That’s why problem-solving gets to the heart of how we do business.

Where’s my material? 

Many foam rubbers and adhesives tapes are manufactured and fabricated here in the U.S. But that on-shore manufacturing alone doesn’t guarantee immunity from supply chain issues. 

That’s because many of the raw materials used to produce adhesive tape and foam rubber are imported. Shortages or even a bottleneck at a major port can slow the entire process, regardless of where the final product is made.

As the pandemic showed us just a few short years ago, supply chain disruptions aren’t isolated incidents. They often set off a chain reaction that lasts months or even years. Shortages, backlogs, labor issues and market fluctuations can all affect your ability to source components like custom gaskets on time.

Solution: How is SRP being proactive?

At SRP, we’ve built our operations so when challenges arise around sourcing gasket materials, we adapt. 

Here’s how:

Faster production when it matters most

When gasketing materials experience delays, we’ll adjust our production schedule to help you catch up. As soon as back-ordered materials arrive, we expedite your order to get it in your hands as quickly as possible.

In-house quality control

All components are die cut and laminated in our facilities. We never outsource orders to third parties. This gives us complete control over quality and helps us meet your specs without compromise.

Clear communication

When a gasketing material you need becomes difficult to source, our first step is to increase communication with our supplier partners so you get timely updates. Once we receive confirmation that it’s shipped, we pass that information along to you, so your estimates are accurate and up-to-date.

Planning ahead 

When we anticipate material shortages, we work proactively to stock inventory and lock in pricing ahead of time. We can also work with you to plan several production cycles in advance, so you can stay on schedule no matter the market conditions.

Partner with a trusted 3M and Rogers Corporation Converter 

SRP is a trusted converter with long-standing relationships with premier suppliers like 3M and Rogers. These long-standing relationships provide direct access to high-performance materials and up-to-date supply information. The difference? We can respond faster, source smarter and go the extra mile to keep your production on track.

Give SRP a call or request a quote today.