In the last few years, the demand for spas has escalated. To meet the demand Chinese and European spas are being shipped to the Canadian market. After long wait times, those who finally receive their hot tub are ecstatic! But what happens when you need parts? What is the wait time for receiving hot tub parts from China and/or Europe? How do supply chain difficulties affect you when you need to maintain and/or repair your foreign-made hot tub?

I don’t understand supply chain issues! 

Global supply chains are the networks between companies and their suppliers, those who provide the materials to create the products that companies sell. Massive supply chain shortages occurred in the wake of pandemic lockdowns that shut down businesses around the world and kept workers at home. Clogged ports, truck driver shortages, extreme weather events, demand miscalculations, inventory shortfalls, freight transport bottlenecks, production cuts and temporary plant shutdowns have created a major breakdown in the supply chain of goods. Companies are experiencing difficulty getting access to critical technology, commodities and raw materials necessary for the production of their products. Though many thought these issues would resolve as the pandemic abated and economies reopened, other events, such as the war in Ukraine, have added new bottlenecks. When will it improve? No one knows!

Hot tubs and supply chain issues:

How do global supply issues affect those who purchase hot tubs and/or hot tub parts? 

• More hot tubs wanted: As the pandemic ramped up and governments issued lockdown orders, hot tubs became one of the highest-demand appliances for homeowners. People were drawn to “nesting” and “staycations.” This demand created long wait times. No longer could customers have a spa in place within 3 to 4 weeks after purchase. If you’re thinking of purchasing a hot tub, there may be a waiting period. If you need hot tub parts, there may be delays.
• Shortages: The manufacture of hot tubs is directly impacted by the microchip shortage (used in control systems for spas), the resin shortage (used to produce the shells of spas and plumbing), the lumber shortage (used to construct the frame of some spas), and the skilled labour shortage. 
• Focus on overdue spa maintenance and/or repair: With more people spending increased time at home, neglected spas got needed attention. Available replacement parts were quickly consumed, leading to scarcity in the marketplace, increased backorders, and excessively long wait times.
• Slower production: While available inventory was quickly consumed and a flood of new orders flowed in, factory production slowed due to quarantines, social distancing and fewer workers on the production line. Many manufacturing plants were forced to switch to slower, less efficient production processes to ensure the safety of workers and compliance with pandemic regulations. This boils down to slower production and longer wait times for spas and spa parts. 

Why purchasing European and Chinese hot tubs is not a good idea:

The most significant complication of the spa industry at this time is transportation. The entire shipping industry is backlogged and is struggling to catch up. Transportation costs have increased and are being passed down the supply chain, contributing to the increases in costs. If you purchase a spa from Europe or China, you’ll not only experience long wait times due to production, transportation delays and an increased price, but you’ll also have significant difficulty getting parts for repair and/or maintenance in a timely manner. This may mean that your spa sits empty and unused as you wait for parts. 

Why you should buy a high-quality North American-made spa:

If you wish to ensure that you can find and purchase needed parts for your hot tub, buy an Appliance Grade Spa with non-proprietary North American parts from American Whirlpool, Vita Spas or MAAX Spas. This will ensure that shipping backlogs will not keep you from enjoying your backyard spa!

Interested in purchasing a quality spa that can be easily serviced and maintained? Contact Calgary-based RnR hot tubs and spas. RnR provides comprehensive service, expert knowledge, a wealth of field experience and the best products in the industry to help you maintain your hot tub/swim spa for years of enjoyment. RnR is Alberta’s premier hot tub/swim spa store specializing in American Whirlpool, Vita Spas and MAAX Spas. Call (403) 203-0860 or fill out the contact request.