When Being “Salt Smart” Counts – 2019-2020 Salt Shortage

This Winter season, the snow removal industry anticipates a stress on salt supply, causing it to increase more than 25% in cost. Having a contractor who is “Salt Smart” is more important than ever. What does this mean for you?

As you might imagine, low salt supply nationally makes it more difficult for contractors to fulfill their commitments to keep their customers’ properties safe. Are you confident that your contractor has secured salt for the Winter ahead?

Your contractor actually SHOULD have a plan in place to secure salt for any given season, but not every one does. It requires an outlay of cash and commitment to the materials that not every contractor can make.

The shortage following a rigorous Winter for much of the United States, including our hometown Kansas City, drives up prices that impacts budgets and plans. For a company like True North Outdoor, committing the resources to have salt availability is part of our commitment to our customers. Availability of materials is our greatest concern. Salt is essential to melt snow and ice and keep properties safe. 

That’s why we’re forthright about the reality of the salt shortage with clients and we also guard against the liability of material shortage by being “Salt Smart.”

HOW TRUE NORTH OUTDOOR IS SALT SMART

• We have significantly reduced the harmful effects of ice-melting products by using an innovative liquid deicer in snow removal and pre-treating bulk material.
• Treated road surfaces require fewer chemicals and need fewer applications throughout the season, saving time and fuel.
• True North has relationships with salt mines outside our immediate geographic region and secures salt for the season ahead from every corner of the globe, if necessary. We’ve shipped in salt from Egypt and Kansas mines alike. This is because our commitment to our clients trumps any price hike or shortage issue the industry may experience.

What you can do to make sure your property is secure

If you haven’t heard from your snow contractor yet this season, it’s fair to be concerned. The truth is, the snow removal professionals who do not share their concern about salt availability with you do so because they don’t want you to get worried and cancel your service with them.

That’s why we take the initiative with our customers to let them know about the material shortages and what we’re doing to guard against any issues that could arise when snow starts to fly. 

Take the lead with these three snow strategies to keep your property safe.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CONTRACTOR

1. You need to know whether your contractor has secured materials to fulfill your agreement. Ask how many salt suppliers your contractor has, and ask how much salt the contractor went through last season.
2. Find out if your contractor placed a pre-order on salt. The goal is to get a feel for the contractor’s plan for getting enough salt this year to fulfill your contract.
3. Ensure your contractors’ commitment to fulfilling your storm management plan. Go ahead and ask the tough questions. It’s their job to be able to handle them. 

Here’s an overview of what we’ve covered:

• A national stress on salt supply is prompting salt suppliers to require contractors to prepay for salt they plan to use. Contractors buy thousands of tons of salt in a season. At True North, it’s not unheard of for us to put a hold on 10,000+ tons for one winter. Our plan also includes at least 60,000 gallons of brine, 10,000 gallons of liquid magnesium and 50 semis of ice melt. 

• Not all contractors are financially prepared to put out the investment immediately to secure their supply, especially as prices have spiked this year. Our costs as contractors have increased by 40 to 50 percent. A company without the resources to cover that gap will not be able to secure a supply. 

• The price issue pales in comparison to the real concern: salt availability. 

WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT: Ask your snow contractor to guarantee that the company has secured salt to fulfill your snow removal contract for this season.