LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Supply issues were already impacting the auto parts industry before the East coast dockworker unions began their strike.
Dockworkers are entering day two of their strike. Union members are demanding more pay and protections from automation.
"Even in the last few days I've been told that a normal supply order which would take two to three days is looking like it's going to take five, six to 10 days," said Derek McAllister, the parts and service manager for Bluegrass Collision.
The strike could cause a trickle-down effect locally in the auto body industry and could delay deliveries even longer. Collision repair shops are keeping in contact with their vendors to make sure they can get the parts they need.
Owner of Shelburne's Body Shop in the Lyndon neighborhood, Tom Whitney, said it's still too early to tell if it will impact local businesses like his. Whitney's shop receives auto supplies from his vendor weekly. He hasn't gotten a notice on if the strikes will impact him, but Shelburne's does get parts from Germany and other European countries for foreign cars.
"We plan on talking with him Friday," Whitney said. "That was going to be one of my concerns with him. We don't have a warehouse of supplies so we rely on our suppliers to bring us the supplies we need."
Shelburne's isn't the only shop with concerns.
Bluegrass Collision has already been given a heads up from their vendors on the strike's potential impact. McAllister said they anticipate some delays but don't know the severity of the situation yet. He's calling it a wait-and-see situation.
"We just have to be very up front with our customers and let them know the reason behind this," McAllister said. "They've told me they could expect some delays to the severity of that we don't know yet."
So it's business as usual for now, but both shops hope customers will be patient if there are any future issues.
Just be understanding and know that we are not keeping your vehicle longer than we want it here," Whitney said.
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