two-pound bags with handles and zippers,” Habelman notes.The flexibility allows the company to meet the diverse needs of its customers, further solidifying its reputation as a premier provider of fresh cranberries. COVID-19 IMPACT Like many businesses, Habelman Bros faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic disrupted supply chains, making it difficult to find workers and creating numerous other obstacles the company had to navigate.“We saw a lot of hurdles during COVID—getting supplies, securing a good workforce, it just made everything miserable,” Habelman admits. Despite these challenges, the pandemic also increased demand for fresh fruits and vegetables as consumers focused more on healthy eating.“The demand was high, but it was hard for us to supply it due to all the other roadblocks,” Habelman explains. The company had to adapt quickly to meet the rising demand while dealing with the various disruptions caused by the pandemic. Supply chain issues have started to level out as the industry recovers, although some challenges remain. “The availability of supplies and lead times have reduced a lot, but trucking is still substantially more expensive than it was five years ago,” Habelman notes. The cost of transportation remains a significant issue 7 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 09 HABELMAN BROS. COMPANY
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