This panel explored the critical challenges facing designers, manufacturers, and distributors as they navigate supply chain instability, shifting global manufacturing strategies, recycled content sourcing, and client expectations amid tight deadlines—especially in wildfire-impacted areas like Altadena and Pacific Palisades and features; Melissa Zellner - Director of Marketing | ASSA ABLOY Group,  Anthony Powsney _ Regional Sales Manager | Zip Water, Emile Zmenak, Managing Partner | Urbania Canada and Jay Williams, Senior Director  | The AZEK Company

Key Themes and Takeaways:

Manufacturing Strategy & Location Flexibility:

Supply Chain Pressure & Preemptive Planning:

Tariffs & Pricing Instability:
Communication Breakdown & Trust:
Transparent Relationships & Education:

Planning for Large-Scale Rebuilds:

Resilience Through Partnership:

Supply Chain Uncertainty & Design Resilience — A Blueprint for Moving Forward

Designers today face a reality that feels less like a puzzle and more like a moving target. Supply chains are in constant flux, tariffs are reshaping pricing strategies overnight, and manufacturing must strike a careful balance between cost, speed, and sustainability. In this recent panel hosted by Doctoring Up Design, industry leaders from manufacturing, distribution, and design gathered to talk candidly about what's changing, what's working, and how designers can better navigate a turbulent environment—particularly when working on wildfire rebuilds or urgent residential timelines.

Manufacturing Is No Longer Local or Global—It’s Strategic

The conversation began with a look at where products are made and how that affects availability and pricing. One manufacturer described their hybrid model: U.S.-grown timber processed and partially assembled domestically, with finishing done in locations like Southeast Asia and Cartagena. Why? Because even with wages at $28/hour and benefits, they couldn’t hire enough skilled labor in Central Michigan.

“We built a state-of-the-art factory,” one panelist explained. “We had people interested in sawing timber, but no one wanted to stay through the manufacturing process.” That labor challenge forced the company to rethink what “Made in the USA” really means—and how they could still meet that standard while staying economically viable.

Recycled Materials & Smart Sourcing Offer New Hope

Communication Isn’t Just Important—It’s Non-Negotiable

Rebuilding After Disaster Requires a Different Playbook

Budgeting and Flexibility Go Hand in Hand

“We're all going to have to compromise somewhere,” one panelist said. “But when you work with people you trust, you know they’ll do everything they can to help.”

Final Thoughts: Partnership Is the New Competitive Advantage

Ultimately, design is a human business, not just a technical one. Whether it’s a manufacturer innovating with 48-hour veneer drying or a showroom that calls to walk you through every option, success depends on real relationships. If one leg of the stool—manufacturer, showroom, or designer—breaks, the whole system collapses.

But when all three collaborate, communicate, and plan together, they can weather any disruption—and even build something better than what came before.