Fiberbuilt Tips from An Old Professional

Tips From an Old Professional: My Experiences as a Supplier in the Hospitality Industry

by JORDAN BECKNER, PRESIDENT OF SALES FOR FIBERBUILT UMBRELLAS AND CUSHIONS

Since the election last fall, I have not had much use for any type of news (local, state or national), and I have sworn off social media (on the advice of my counselor), so I am really clueless on what is happening nationally or internationally in the way of financial trends. But I have attended a few trade shows and spoken to several different suppliers, so I believe I have the pulse of this industry. Although the supply industry is thriving, it is very difficult to know if we are making any profits.

The new phrase for us since the pandemic is COVID Surtax. Everyone has one, albeit some use different phrases like fuel surtax, but is seems everyone is subject to it. My steel prices have gone up so much that I cannot offer a quote longer than seven days. That is just one example of how the costs of so many of our raw materials have increased.

This time, however, it is our customers who are really hurting more than my company. I believe it would be very hard for the hospitality industry to add additional surtaxes to their final bills. For hoteliers there are so many taxes already (bed tax, state tax, county tax, etc.). I am not sure the public would understand a COVID surtax. As for my restauranters, I do not think Firehouse Subs would get away with a surtax, and I know I would not have been happy with a surtax at the bottom of my bill when I took my wife to Flagler Steakhouse last week.

This is one time I do not have an answer for this issue. I only know that it is tough being a small businessman in 2021. The only good news I have to offer is we have the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association team watching our backs.

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