Fireworks could be in short supply
Chinese factory explosion, port problems may limit local stock
By Dolly A. Butz, Journal staff writer | Posted: Monday, June 02, 2008
Zort's Fireworks owner John Barber sits inside his business with one of his private label, Power Source, consumer fireworks displays, the Color King, which is a 500 gram cake aerial 36-shot, one-fuse display. Barber makes a number of trips to China every year to design new fireworks displays, and has 150 of them under his private label. (Staff photo by Jerry Mennenga)
NORTH SIOUX CITY -- On a recent trip to China, John Barber, owner of Zort's Fireworks, said he saw more stock sitting in warehouses than ever before. He took it as a sign that Fourth of July displays in some U.S. cities might not be as big and bright as they were a year ago.
"It was kind of scary," Barber said. "Normally this time of year you go in there and it's all empty. Then you go in there and see all of this stuff, and you go, 'Gee, they've got problems.'"
In February, more than 15,000 cartons of fireworks stored in 20 warehouses in Foshan City, in China's southern Guangdong Province, exploded. Then, an ice storm in Hunan Province shut down fireworks factories, halting production.
To make matter worse, three Chinese ports recently closed, increasing traffic in the Port of Shanghai. For those fireworks that are available, finding space on outoing boats is a significant challenge, Barber said.
Barber said there is an estimated 35 percent shortage of consumer fireworks and an estimated 40 percent shortage of commercial display fireworks. Retail stands will be hit hardest by the shortage, and consumers, Barber said, can expect to see a 20 to 25 percent increase in the price of fireworks.
Barber, who has been in the fireworks business for 25 years, witnessed firsthand the result of the explosions. He travels to China several times a year to develop fireworks for his private label, PowerSource, which are sold at his store at 201 S. Derby Lane in North Sioux City.
"The problem is finding the space on the boats for all of these fireworks containers," he said.
Since Barber buys fireworks throughout the year and has carry-over stock, he said his customers will find what they are looking for at Zort's and will not fall victim to price gouging.
"If I don't have fireworks, I'm out of business," he said. "I don't want to run out."
As far as the depth of local displays, Barber said it will depend on if and when suppliers received their stock.
"Each city is going to be different because each city has a different supplier," he said. "If a supplier got all of his stuff in early or he had a carry-over stock, he'll probably be OK."
The implementation of tighter safety requirements imposed by the Chinese government and the high demand for fireworks within China due to the 2008 Summer Olympics also are limiting supply and affecting prices, according to Don Lantis.
Lantis owns Lantis Fireworks, off Interstate 29 Exit 4, and Lantis Wholesale and Retail Fireworks, 130 Sodrac Drive, both in North Sioux City.
"It's getting harder and harder to get the product out because the public over there gets to shoot fireworks, so why do they want to mess around with the regulations of the United States?" he said. "We're one of the toughest countries around for a retail product."
Lantis, who conducts fireworks displays for the Sioux City Explorers' games at Lewis & Clark Park, said his displays won't suffer this year, because he keeps three years' worth of stock on hand.
"I'm big enough. I keep enough stock," he said. "I have a lot of friends who can't get nothing."
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Council on Fireworks Safety offer the following
tips:
-- Always read and follow label directions.
-- Always have an adult present.
-- Buy only from reliable fireworks sellers.
-- Ignite fireworks outdoors only.
-- Be sure to have water handy.
-- Never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks.
-- Light only one at a time.
-- Never reignite malfunctioning fireworks.
-- Never give fireworks to small children.
-- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
-- Dispose of fireworks properly.
-- Never throw fireworks at another person.
-- Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
-- Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
"It was kind of scary," Barber said. "Normally this time of year you go in there and it's all empty. Then you go in there and see all of this stuff, and you go, 'Gee, they've got problems.'"
In February, more than 15,000 cartons of fireworks stored in 20 warehouses in Foshan City, in China's southern Guangdong Province, exploded. Then, an ice storm in Hunan Province shut down fireworks factories, halting production.
To make matter worse, three Chinese ports recently closed, increasing traffic in the Port of Shanghai. For those fireworks that are available, finding space on outoing boats is a significant challenge, Barber said.
Barber said there is an estimated 35 percent shortage of consumer fireworks and an estimated 40 percent shortage of commercial display fireworks. Retail stands will be hit hardest by the shortage, and consumers, Barber said, can expect to see a 20 to 25 percent increase in the price of fireworks.
Barber, who has been in the fireworks business for 25 years, witnessed firsthand the result of the explosions. He travels to China several times a year to develop fireworks for his private label, PowerSource, which are sold at his store at 201 S. Derby Lane in North Sioux City.
"The problem is finding the space on the boats for all of these fireworks containers," he said.
Since Barber buys fireworks throughout the year and has carry-over stock, he said his customers will find what they are looking for at Zort's and will not fall victim to price gouging.
"If I don't have fireworks, I'm out of business," he said. "I don't want to run out."
As far as the depth of local displays, Barber said it will depend on if and when suppliers received their stock.
"Each city is going to be different because each city has a different supplier," he said. "If a supplier got all of his stuff in early or he had a carry-over stock, he'll probably be OK."
The implementation of tighter safety requirements imposed by the Chinese government and the high demand for fireworks within China due to the 2008 Summer Olympics also are limiting supply and affecting prices, according to Don Lantis.
Lantis owns Lantis Fireworks, off Interstate 29 Exit 4, and Lantis Wholesale and Retail Fireworks, 130 Sodrac Drive, both in North Sioux City.
"It's getting harder and harder to get the product out because the public over there gets to shoot fireworks, so why do they want to mess around with the regulations of the United States?" he said. "We're one of the toughest countries around for a retail product."
Lantis, who conducts fireworks displays for the Sioux City Explorers' games at Lewis & Clark Park, said his displays won't suffer this year, because he keeps three years' worth of stock on hand.
"I'm big enough. I keep enough stock," he said. "I have a lot of friends who can't get nothing."
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Council on Fireworks Safety offer the following
tips:
-- Always read and follow label directions.
-- Always have an adult present.
-- Buy only from reliable fireworks sellers.
-- Ignite fireworks outdoors only.
-- Be sure to have water handy.
-- Never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks.
-- Light only one at a time.
-- Never reignite malfunctioning fireworks.
-- Never give fireworks to small children.
-- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
-- Dispose of fireworks properly.
-- Never throw fireworks at another person.
-- Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
-- Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 1 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
Jcsweeney wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:27 PM: