"The Surprising Truth Behind How the Best 4th of July Fireworks Are Made - You Won't Believe the Global Supply Chain Involved!"

 The average firework has a life expectancy of 5-10 seconds, but the fireworks supply chain that makes everything sparkle during the 4th of July celebrations is much more time consuming. The main reason is provenance. 

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as about 90% of the fireworks purchased in America—worth about $2.3 billion in 2023—come from China. Let's take a closer look at fireworks' journey across the supply chain and how cutting-edge technology ensures plenty of fireworks arrive on time for this iconic American holiday.

The manufacturing process is volatile and labor intensive Fireworks have been around for over 2000 years, and like many great inventions, they were thought to have been discovered by accident. 

History says that around 200 BC, in China, it was discovered that bamboo, when thrown into a fire, would explode with a “bang”. But it took another 1,000 years (around 800 AD) until a Chinese alchemist, wanting to discover the secret of eternal life. 

decided to mix sulfur, charcoal and potassium nitrate. The concoction caught fire, and “bang”, gunpowder was born. “The first fireworks were made by packing this flammable powder into bamboo and paper tubes and setting them on fire. 

What's wrong with that?!

Many things are more regulated and controlled in today's production processes. The same compounds used in 800 AD (sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate) were mixed, formed, and packaged into various fireworks components, including shells, fuses, and air effects.

Safety is a top priority, and the intensive manual process requires skilled technicians to carefully measure and assemble each firework to ensure a stunning visual experience.Manual labor to obtain materials for fireworks is also reduced. 

Apart from the three main chemical components, factories also need various metals that produce bright colors when burned. However, these supplies are supplied through mining operations, and mining companies are currently facing supply and equipment disruptions.

Logistics that run smoothly

The storage and movement of fireworks requires special protective containers and packaging to protect the volatile product.

Fireworks should be stored in secure warehouses and facilities designed to reduce the risk of combustion due to their volatile nature. 

The facility is equipped with a temperature-controlled environment and special storage locations to ensure different types of fireworks are separated to prevent accidental burning.

Due to the sensitive nature of fireworks, transportation must adhere to strict safety protocols to prevent accidents. Trained professionals handle their transportation, taking precautions to prevent ignition and ensuring compliance with transportation regulations.

Additionally, due to the volatile nature of fireworks, a federal explosives permit needs to be obtained from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to engage in the import, manufacture, or sale of fireworks in the US.

All fireworks bound for the US market arrive via cargo container at one of the largest ports, then travel overland via multimodal movement. It typically takes 30 to 45 days from the time the product leaves the warehouse in China until it arrives at the US supplier.

Long Lead Times and Demand Estimates are affected by Weather Forecasts

As mentioned previously, the majority of fireworks purchased by American consumers are manufactured in China, so many US distributors place orders more than a year in advance of the Fourth of July.However. 

the actual demand leading up to the 4th of July is highly dependent on the weather. Most consumers' actual purchases occur in the previous week, so bad and gloomy forecasts can have a significant impact on actual demand. 

On the other hand, the dry season leading up to the big day can also have a negative impact because the local government prohibits public performances. What does the future hold?

Due to the flammable nature of fireworks, safety is always a top priority. 

This has led some companies to look for alternatives that provide the same visual enjoyment with less risk. Drones are used to create dazzling light shows and spectacular arial performances. 

They can simulate the visual feel of exploding fireworks, as well as forming enormous American flags to elicit “oohs and ahhs.” This technology also has environmental benefits as it produces fewer emissions, increases the sustainability of materials, and reduces the need for mining operations.

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