GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Fourth of July is just two weeks away, and unfortunately, it’s going to be another holiday affected by supply chain issues and high prices.
The main concern is a shortage of fireworks.
Patrick Spielbauer is the president of Spielbauer Fireworks, a third generation fireworks company in Green Bay, which put on Green Bay’s 2021 firework show.
Spielbauer says he ordered his supply for this Fourth of July last April from China.
“And to date, we’ve received about 20-25% of what we should’ve gotten primarily from China,” said Spielbauer. “So there’s certainly going to be a fireworks shortage.”
He says the issue is multifaceted.
“We have inflation so there’s rising costs associated with everything; with raw materials, labor, shipping and insurance,” said Spielbauer. “But since COVID, the supply chain has been really disrupted and the shipping from China has been trickling over .”
According to American Pyrotechnics Association, In 2022, American consumers will spend about $2.3 billion on consumer fireworks this Fourth of July.
But when it comes to the big displays, Spielbauer says the typical price he pays is about $13,000.
This year, due to the increase in supplies, it’s $50,000.
“I think the biggest driving force for us is the cost of shipping,” said Spielbauer.
With high costs, and delayed shipping, Spielbauer adds if you go to a fireworks show this year, it may look a little different.
“We’re fighting the rising costs which means we don’t get enough of each dollar,” said Spielbauer. “We are fighting supply chain issues which means we’re not going to have the variety that we normally have.”
Overall, costs are up 35% across the firework industry, although the APA estimates more than 16,000 fireworks displays will be produced this Fourth of July.
Typically, Spielbauer Fireworks does 200 to 250 displays around the state.
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