Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association

Goldman explains, “We have some issues with that, not just because we produce gas fireplaces and gas grills. But, also, we just feel that it’s not going to work as smoothly as it’s often advertised, and we feel that gas is going to be an important transition fuel in the years ahead, to get to more of a zero-carbon footprint. So, we have been advocating at different levels, and that’s a little less of a centralized advocacy effort than woodburning is.” With COVID keeping people home, and vacations on hold, the hearth and barbecue industries have seen a higher than usual demand for products. “There has been more money available to buy things and people are looking at sprucing up their homes, either internally with fireplaces or stoves or with outdoor products, including grills, smokers, pizza ovens, and patio heaters,” reports Goldman, adding, “Demand has been very strong, grill sales are higher than prior to the pandemic and hearth products not quite as strong an improvement but well into double digits.” During the first 18 months of the pandemic, the industry faced staffing issues, juggling to keep lines running, while keeping employees and their families healthy and safe. The other challenge faced by many members of HPBA is ongoing supply chain issues, another consequence of COVID. Goldman admits, “This breaks into the availability of certain components, as well as the availability and cost of shipping. We are having the same problems everyone else is. Sometimes a company can have all but two components, and because of those two they can’t finish the product. So, currently, orders are still well into the future. Orders usually have their seasonality, and they haven’t this year in either the barbecue or hearth industries, so generally, if a consumer orders a product, they may have to wait for it.” HPBA’s annual HPBExpo is the largest trade show of its kind in North America, bringing people together from across the industry. Goldman recounts, “It’s our biggest event, both HPBA’s Government Affairs Academy visits the US Capitol