With the outbreak of Covid-19, architects, designers and adjacent professionals are desperately searching for indicators to help determine just how seriously the industry will be impacted. Last week, I published a chart illustrating that specification activity that we’re tracking post outbreak is chugging along at a fairly similar pace as always. Though circumstances may change day-to-day, I’ve confirmed no change since March 19, which is encouraging. 

Now, I want share some of my findings in communicating with a number of the industry’s largest building product manufacturers. Let me begin by emphasizing that manufacturers are still very much in business and working tirelessly to meet the demands of their customers. In fact, some manufacturers are reporting an increase in orders. 

According to Jane Hawkins, A&D Market Manager at Armstrong Flooring, “We are seeing heavy levels of activity as owners and contractors are hoping to complete their projects quickly.” She continues, “I’m also seeing a lot of sample requests from those architects & designers who are working from home now.” 

Similarly, Elizabeth Margles, VP Marketing at Caesarstone, reports, “We have not experienced any fall-off in orders and our business remains strong as we continue to support our customers across all channels.”

Many Manufacturers Continue to Manufacture

Yes, some manufacturers have been forced to suspend plant operations due to state mandated Shelter-at-Home orders, especially those manufacturers that have not yet been deemed essential by their states. For example, Steelcase, Herman Miller and Haworth, three of the largest commercial furniture companies in the United States have temporarily closed their Michigan factories. 

Steelcase, Herman Miller and Haworth, three of the largest commercial furniture companies in the United States have temporarily closed their Michigan factories

That said, many manufacturers I’ve spoken to are still operating at full capacity across all plants. Mike Gallman, President at Mohawk Group advises, “At this time, all of our plants are operating normally, but as everyone knows, the situation is fluid and can change at any minute.”

As expected, many manufacturers are implementing more precautionary measures to avoid transmission. To start, most manufacturers are forbidding any external visitors from entering their plants, even staff from manufacturers’ corporate offices. Even more, some manufacturers are taking the temperature of factory workers as they enter the plants, and further limiting access inside the buildings so that workers are only allowed to enter their own work zones and not travel to any other zones on premises. 

At Crossville, Lindsey Waldrep, VP Marketing, confirms, “Plant operations have been modified in accordance with CDC Guidelines so that workers are positioned a minimum of 6’ apart on the manufacturer line and each department now has designated staff to clean equipment with bleach before each and every shift.”  

Though workers in these facilities are no doubt accustomed to wearing protective equipment, companies are reinforcing these policies even more diligently than ever before. Elizabeth at Caesarstone pronounces, “Head-to-toe protection is mandatory at our Richmond Hill facility, including hard-hats, masks, gloves and boots.” But safety at the plant is only part of the story. Caesarstone is also contributing masks to first-responders in Richmond Hill to help keep the community safe too.

My take-away is that the Covid-19 pandemic is scary and in many instances tragic, but as for our industry, there’s good reason to stay positive for now. Be smart. Be safe. Listen to your city and state government officials and support each other. I’m so moved by the many stories I’ve heard of industry folk coming together, even competitors. I will do my best to report back here if I see any of these industry signals beginning to change.