Specialty building products distributor Foundation Building Materials Inc. recently announced increases in freight and transportation charges beginning this month.

“The unanticipated rapid rise in fuel cost has resulted in our suppliers implementing increased delivery charges, fuel surcharges and or previously unannounced price increases on shipments beginning as soon as this week,” FBM Chief Sales Officer Kirby Thompson wrote in a letter to customers March 23.

Thompson said regional FBM contacts would reach out to customers with details on the new charge increases, which were expected to go into effect April 1.

“Already this year we have seen increases on drywall, insulation, ceilings, FRP products, and steel,” he wrote. “Nearly every supplier has communicated that there will be continued price escalation throughout 2022. For example, we have seen transportation charge increases of $300 per truck from Armstrong and price hikes as high as 35% from Crane on FRP products. Due to the turmoil in Europe, worldwide supply chain issues, and a worldwide energy calamity we believe we will be dealing with many of these issues throughout 2022.”