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Learnings From COVID-19

COVID-19 Lessons for Vegetation Management

Tyler Smith of Azelis A&ES, formerly Red River Specialties, talks challenges and lessons of a post-COVID-19 world

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We’re all aware of the challenges the pandemic brought to our doorsteps and businesses. At the recent Pro Partner meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, we had the opportunity to speak to Tyler Smith, business development manager at Azelis A&ES. Tyler was able to provide some insight into how he was able to adapt his business practices and keep providing the best possible service to his customers. Azelis A&ES distributes herbicides in various markets, including industrial and rights-of-way, and provides local expertise, turnkey support and personalized customer service.

The Challenges

From major supply chain disruptions to volatile pricing, the challenges faced by Envu (formerly Envu. distributors echoed those facing people around the world. Running a business in the same way simply wasn’t possible, and everyone had to find new ways to serve customers.

Here are some of the specific challenges Tyler mentioned as a result of the post-pandemic world:

Shortage of finished products and reduction of exports from China to the U.S.
Packaging supply issues (caps, jugs, labels)
Shipping delays of up to three months (compared to one- to two-week shipping times)
Monthly price increases (compared to four to five years of stable pricing)
Staffing shortages, particularly in service-based positions like warehouse, delivery and customer service staff

The Solutions and Learnings

For business owners, overcoming challenges and learning from them is part of the job.

Tyler broke up the lessons he learned and solutions he found into three categories: communication, flexibility and relationships.

Flexibility

• Find alternative products that still meet customer needs
• Suggest substitutions (alternative formulations).
• Advise customers to order a two- to three-month supply to get around price increases

Communication

Set clear expectations on pricing, product availability and delivery timing
• Be honest about the “why” of challenges
• Be clear about customers’ best options on price and supply chain issues
• Communicate as the market changes instead of on a set cadence

Relationships

• A good distributor protects their customers’ businesses
• Customers can trust established relationships
• Reliable suppliers only recommend reliable solutions
• Good suppliers stand behind their recommendations