In this episode of “If Walls Could Talks,” W&C Editor John Wyatt discusses the past year with Tom Harris, owner of Tom Harris PUR Consulting.

In this podcast, Harris discusses the cost of shipping and importing, and global production. He also touches on what 2023 meant for the insulation industry.

“Global MDI plants have not expanded their capacity, which should deplete any supply chain stockpiling,” he says.

Raw material manufacturers are putting, or at least intending to put, steel in the ground in the US to replace off-shore suppliers. Although new homebuilds are down for the year, they’re building again if you look at the fourth quarter numbers, he continued.

“Energy conservation in general, does well in a down economy as consumers focus on the best spend for the dollar that turns out to be items which have a direct financial benefit and payback rather than disposable and luxury goods.

“The contractors I’ve spoken to have a healthy pipeline going into 2024, much better than last year at this time.

“If we look at the level of innovation, spray foam product innovation is at a brisk pace with new products and applications coming on board, which should really impact the industry,” he says.

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