Speaking about how Brexit will affect the bathroom industry, managing director of distributor Robert Lee Matt Earle said: “Nobody understands the impact tariffs may have on the price of products going forward.”

In an exclusive video interview, part of Kitchens & Bathrooms News series #KBNOne2One, Earle said bathroom manufacturers are currently supplying price lists with caveats.

He said a number of brands are “putting in a speculative price increase for January and, to be fair, it’s no different to what they have done in the past. But they are putting a caveat on all their pricing sheets, at the moment, that says ‘we reserve the right to review this post-Brexit’.

Sponsored Video

Quarter sawn Tulipwood

“Quite what that means is anybody’s guess. But Robert Lee is in the same situation as everybody.

“You just [need to] keep talking to your suppliers and working together to make sure the flow of products, whether it’s from Europe or wherever in the world, gets through to the end-user as quickly and efficiently, and at the right price, as possible.”

Matt Earle also spoke about current supply chain issues in the bathroom industry, where distancing rules has meant fewer people in warehouses and pent-up demand has seen suppliers playing catch-up.

Although bathroom supply issues are not across the board, he pointed out specific pockets of products (such as a 1200 x 800mm shower tray) are proving difficult to purchase.

Earle also pointed to the global issue with shipping: “Everybody from all over the world is trying to get their containers to where they need to be before Christmas and then beyond Christmas you have January, then you’re into Chinese New Year. So people are trying to get containers delivered before then. It’s difficult. We just need to manage our stock.”

However, Earle seemed to be optimistic about the resolution of bathroom supply chain issues, stating: “I don’t know if the situation is going to get much worse. I think we are probably at the point where it’s, hopefully, as bad as it’s going to get and things will start to improve.”

He said lack of communication by suppliers can be frustrating, as he said: “The bit that frustrates me, from suppliers, and I know frustrates our customers is when you  go quiet.

“You think the worst and in reality things are going on behind the scenes but [suppliers] you’ve just got to let people know.”