Act Now: Avoid Office Equipment Delays Amid Dockworkers’ Strikes

Not to sound alarms, but last night I went to 3 different Costcos in search of toilet paper (anyone remember this feeling)? I was unsuccessful, so, it’s already started. Toilet paper is just the beginning.

There’s a looming issue that many businesses might overlook when planning their office equipment needs for 2025: US dockworkers’ strikes. These labor strikes can have a profound effect on the availability and cost of essential office products such as copiers, printers, multifunction printers (MFPs) and toners, access control systems, and unified communication solutions. If you’re considering a technology upgrade or a complete office overhaul in the next year, understanding how these strikes could impact your timeline and budget is crucial.

Now is the time to place your orders and secure the equipment your office needs to stay efficient, secure, and communicative. Here’s why you need to act quickly and how dockworkers’ strikes can influence your office equipment decisions for 2025.

Understanding the Dockworkers’ Strikes and Their Ripple Effect

Dockworkers’ strikes occur when workers who handle and move goods at seaports go on strike, often due to disputes over pay, working conditions, or benefits. While these strikes are generally localized events, their effects ripple far beyond the docks. Since Eastern seaports handle a massive percentage of goods entering the U.S., including technology equipment, any disruption to this flow creates a bottleneck in the supply chain.

For businesses planning to upgrade or invest in new copiers, printers, MFPs, access control systems, or unified communication solutions, the consequences can be significant. These items are often imported or rely on components sourced globally. Even short-term strikes can create prolonged shipping delays, price hikes, and unexpected shortages that make acquiring new equipment more challenging and expensive.

How Dockworkers’ Strikes Influence Office Equipment Considerations

To better understand how dockworkers’ strikes could affect your decisions in the coming year, here are several key areas where their impact is likely to be felt:

1. Delays in Shipping and Delivery Times

The most immediate impact of any port disruption is delayed shipments. If you are planning to purchase new copiers, printers, or MFPs in 2025, you might find that these items take significantly longer to arrive. Due to dockworkers’ strikes, equipment that typically takes weeks to deliver might end up taking months. This is especially critical for small to medium-sized businesses that cannot afford operational downtimes due to a lack of functioning equipment.

Imagine placing an order for a new MFP to replace an outdated machine, expecting it to arrive within 4 weeks, only to be informed that it will take 12-16 weeks instead. Such delays not only impact productivity but also add pressure to existing equipment that may be at the end of its life cycle. If you’re planning to add the new devices to your Sect 179 deductions, your equipment must be delivered to you in 2024.

2. Increased Costs Due to Supply Chain Issues

When a strike halts the flow of goods, not only are shipments delayed, but supply becomes limited. Basic supply and demand economics tell us that when supply decreases and demand remains constant (or increases), prices rise. You may find that equipment like copiers, printers, access control systems, and UCaaS solutions become more expensive as suppliers pass on the added costs from delays, storage fees, and logistical complications to consumers.

If you’re waiting until 2025 to purchase new equipment, the cost might be substantially higher than if you locked in your order today. For example, the cost of importing specific printers or communication devices could double or even triple during a prolonged strike due to increased freight rates, insurance costs, and port storage fees.

3. Difficulty in Acquiring Replacement Parts and Consumables

Even if you already own advanced copiers and printers, you might face challenges when it comes to maintaining them during a supply chain disruption. Most office equipment requires regular servicing and consumables such as toner, ink, paper, and replacement parts. Strikes that impact port operations can make it difficult to source these essential items, leaving your business at risk of operational halts.

Considering the complexity and frequency of repairs for copiers and MFPs, the unavailability of parts can lead to prolonged downtime and mounting frustration for your employees. By investing in new equipment now, you mitigate the risk of needing parts that are unavailable during a supply chain crisis.

4. Limited Stock Availability and Outdated Equipment

Dockworkers’ strikes can also impact the availability of new technology, potentially causing office equipment suppliers to run out of stock. When this happens, businesses are often forced to choose between waiting for new stock to arrive or settling for older, less efficient models that do not meet their needs.

Additionally, technology is rapidly advancing, using outdated equipment can put your business at a disadvantage. Older copiers and printers typically lack the speed, efficiency, and security features of modern models. They also consume more energy, increase your costs over time, and might not support your current software and applications. Acting now ensures that you’re able to procure the latest equipment before stock levels become unpredictable.

Why Now is the Time to Invest in Office Equipment

So, with the potential for dockworkers’ strikes to disrupt the supply chain in 2025, why is now the perfect time to act?

1. Secure Availability and Pricing

By ordering your copiers, printers, access control systems, and UCaaS solutions now, you lock in current prices and secure availability. This means that you won’t be at the mercy of fluctuating prices or uncertain stock levels caused by labor disputes at the docks. Ordering in advance allows you to stay ahead of the game and avoid any last-minute rushes that could leave you without the necessary equipment for your office operations.

2. Benefit from Technology Upgrades and Business Efficiency

Investing in new office equipment now also provides the immediate benefits of increased efficiency, improved security, and reduced downtime. The latest models of MFPs, printers, and copiers are designed to work faster, handle more tasks simultaneously, and integrate with your existing digital workflows. Similarly, updating your access control system or unified communications ensures that your business remains secure, connected, and ready to handle the demands of 2025.

3. Reduce Operational Risks and Downtime

Securing new equipment before potential disruptions can minimize your risk of operational downtime. New copiers and printers come with warranties, support services, and fewer maintenance requirements compared to older machines. This translates to more consistent performance, reduced repair times, and a smoother workflow for your employees.

4. Take Advantage of Current Financing Options and Tax Benefits

Many equipment suppliers offer financing options that can make purchasing new copiers, printers, and other technology more affordable. By acting now, you might be able to secure better financing rates than what will be available later, especially if equipment prices go up due to supply chain issues. Additionally, depending on your jurisdiction and tax laws, there might be financial benefits to purchasing equipment before the end of the tax year.

Other Factors to Consider: Managed Print Services (MPS) and IT Solutions

While upgrading your physical equipment is a top priority, don’t forget about complementary services and solutions like Managed Print Services (MPS) and managed IT support. MPS providers can help you optimize your printer fleet, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency. Managed IT services ensure your new devices are well-integrated, secure, and fully supported.

When supply chain disruptions strike, having an MPS provider on your side can be a game-changer. They often have better access to replacement parts, consumables, and technical support than you would on your own. This means you can maintain your operations even if global supply chains are struggling.

Plan Ahead and Secure Your Office’s Future

Dockworkers’ strikes might seem like a far-removed concern, but their impact on global supply chains can directly affect your business’s ability to procure the equipment needed for a productive and efficient 2025. By placing your orders for copiers, printers, MFPs, access control systems, and unified communication solutions now, you’re proactively securing your business against potential delays, price hikes, and stock shortages.

The key to maintaining operational efficiency is preparation, and being prepared for potential supply chain disruptions ensures your business won’t miss a beat. Act now to secure your equipment, benefit from current pricing, and enjoy peace of mind as you head into 2025. With the right equipment in place, your office will be ready to handle whatever challenges or opportunities the new year brings.