Thomas News Highlights

AZ BigMedia: Here's how building material shortages are driving up home prices

As of this past April, lumber prices had risen 86% year over year while the price of steel rose 67%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the Thomasnet.com platform, our data shows that sourcing for building materials is up 115% year over year, and demand for lumber-related categories is currently up an average of 81% year over year.

Retrofit: Thomas Releases Statement about Proposed Changes to Buy American Act

Tony Uphoff, president and CEO of Thomas, has released the following statement regarding the new proposed Buy American Rule, which states that products purchased by the federal government need to have a greater percentage of their component parts made in the U.S., in efforts to strengthen American manufacturing:

Producers & Procurers iQ: A Print Sourcing Dilemma: The United States or China

The days of assuming China's advantage in lower cost and higher output are over. More and more American companies have ended their sourcing relationships there and are, instead, working with U.S. suppliers. According to an April 2020 Thomas survey of 878 North American manufacturing and industrial sector professionals polled during the Covid-19 pandemic, 64% of companies across manufacturing and industrial sectors "are likely to bring manufacturing production and sourcing back to North America to avoid similar difficulties in the future."

Authority Magazine: Tony Uphoff On How To Use Digital Transformation To Take Your Company To The Next Level

As part of the series on Digital Transformation, Authority Magazine interviewed Tony Uphoff about leadership lessons learned, having had a ringside seat at every major technology transition over the last 25 years. 

Realtor Magazine: The Construction Conundrum

With inventory still low, more home buyers look to plan B: new builds. But that, too, has become tough with land and labor growing scarcer and supply chain struggles lingering. 

Because of the prices, as well as significant shortages, many architects, builders, and homebuyers are asking two key questions: How long will the surge continue and why did it happen in the first place? Tony Uphoff, president and CEO of Thomas, which provides analysis and tools that reflect the buying process, says his company data shows a steady surge in sourcing activity for lumber over the last year.

The Loadstar: The great sourcing dilemma for shippers in a disrupted global economy

The soaring costs of shipping are prompting companies to reconsider their supply chains and look for alternative sourcing. A new report by supply chain platform provider Thomas indicates a pronounced increase in manufacturers’ interest in shifting sourcing. Its survey of North American manufacturers found 83% likely, or extremely likely, to reshore sourcing, a leap from 54% in March 2020.

Cloud Wars Podcast: The High-Tech Industrial Revolution - Episode 28

In this episode of Uphoff on Industry, Tony Uphoff and Bob Evans discuss whether business travel will come back and the Thomas Q2 Sourcing Report which reflects strong demand across a wide range of categories with implications for the technology markets. 

Forbes: How The Hybrid Model Is Transforming Business, Impacting Industry

By now, What does the future of work look like? With manufacturing facilities and other essential businesses continuing to work after remaining open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and many office jobs announcing that their temporary remote work arrangements will become permanent, other companies are adopting a hybrid approach to the modern workplace. 

Reuters Events: More than four-in-five North American manufacturers considering reshoring

Report estimates that if these manufacturers follow through on reshoring, it could drive $443 billion in US economic value. According to a new report from Thomas, a solutions provider for the supply chain industry, 83% of North American manufacturers are likely or extremely likely to reshore (up from 54% in March 2020).

Supply & Demand Chain Executive: Prices Continue to Jump as Shipping Limitations Forecast for Q3

Thomas anticipates a 5-8% increase in sourcing for shipping services (alongside predicted growth in trucking services) during Q3. Prices for medical equipment, packaging, printed circuit boards, labels, lumber and more will continue to increase, as shipping limitations impact the supply chain well into Q3, according to a Thomas report.