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AUSTIN (KXAN) – If you’ve stopped by convenience stores, you may have noticed a particular bottle that is low on stock.
A spokesman for Topo Chico told KXAN that they are temporarily short of product due to “extremely strong consumer demand” combined with “raw material shortages”.
Low energy? Shortage of coffee beans affects Austin
“We’re working hard and implementing contingency plans to keep the products people love on shelves during this temporary scarcity,” said the bottled water maker.
The company did not want to provide more detailed information on the raw materials with which challenges were faced or which products were most affected.
That’s what Nilkantha Upreti says, when he was told at Hyde Park Market.
“The delivery man said they are almost sold out; they don’t have enough stock, ”said the employee.
He says Topo Chico is one of their bestsellers.
Upreti says they usually have cases of topo chico but are currently running low in Hyde Park Market. He also says they haven’t received glass bottles in a couple of weeks. (KXAN Photo / Tahera Rahman)
“We’re not getting enough. Demand is more than supply, ”he said.
University of Texas supply chain expert Edward Anderson says there is currently a glass shortage as bars and restaurants reopen in many states.
“They tried to replenish all the alcohol they would keep behind their bars,” he said. “So that brought an additional surge in demand beyond normal consumer demand.”
Anderson also says the factories can’t do much to catch up.
“The industry is highly automated and already running 24/7, so there is little room to increase capacity,” said Anderson, Wright Centennial Professor of Innovative Technology Management at UT’s McCombs School of Business.
One of Topo Chico’s competitors in Texas, Rambler Sparkling Water, noticed this story the day after it was posted and sent this statement to KXAN:
Rambler: Made here. In stock here. All over Texas.
Rambler sparkling water
This isn’t the first shortcoming Austin encounters.
In June, a UT expert told KXAN that coffee bean costs were rising and limited availability was due to droughts and pandemic challenges with shipping containers.
In March, the computer chip scarcity was exacerbated by the Texas winter storm that disrupted several plants, including Austin. Computer chips are used in several technology products, including video games and cars.
A global chip shortage just keeps getting worse – so Austin plays a role
Both GM and Ford announced that the shortage caused them to either slow or suspend production of some models.
Anderson says most of the supply chain issues we face have to do with shipping. He says ships are being secured in ports, which usually takes a few days and can now take up to a week.
He also says no shipping containers were made and many deteriorated during the pandemic – resulting in a 20-30% drop in shipments.
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