COVID-19 Statement
Statement - Coronavirus
(COVID-19)
27/03/2020
Unisto is continuing to closely monitor developments with
respect to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We have been taking steps to ensure the
safety and wellness of our employees including travel restrictions (both
internationally and domestically), reviewing business continuity plans,
prudently evaluating the need and attendance at group gatherings and working to
implement visitor guidelines for those coming to our locations around the
globe.
We have established a team that is working to determine the
appropriate measures which should be taken during this event. This team will
help guide our actions in responding to a potential global outbreak including
measures to reduce spread of the illness and maintaining business continuity
including IT, procurement, manufacturing and all supply chain functions.
Supply Chain and Customer Impacts:
As you are aware, the entire global supply chain has been
impacted due to the coronavirus outbreak, which has led to large-scale
disruption in marine container shipping services. Unisto expects that the
impact to shipping will result in some reduction of delivery reliability, and product
availability in the short to mid-term. Although at present only a very small
number of our products that originate in China have been affected, this
situation is changing as the virus is now seriously impacting many parts of Europe.
While it may be more difficult to confirm availability and delivery
dates at this time, we do hold healthy levels of stock of security seal
products here in the United Kingdom as a service to our customers.
We are working closely with suppliers and our manufacturing
plants to determine any potential impacts or delays. We are also verifying our
raw material suppliers' ability to supply materials to our sites around the
world to ensure we have robust supply lines.
This situation remains dynamic. We will continue to provide
updates as we learn more. We are confident in our preparation and contingency
planning for situations such as this, we practice for situations such as this
as part of our ISO 9001 business resilience planning. It is important to
remember that Unisto has international multisite manufacturing and can, to some
extent continue production of its products at alternate locations should that
become necessary.
In the light of the most recent government recommendations our office team is now working from their homes with very light office cover. Our team is contactable on our normal office number and through our regular email addresses so our customer service will continue very much as normal.
Unisto Malaysia has closed following Government instructions. We were able to ship a container of security seal stock prior to the plant closing, which is now on the high seas and should arrive here in the UK towards the end of April.
Our manufacturing plant in eastern France, close to Mulhouse, a Coronavirus hotspot, has closed today for 2 weeks due to problems in obtaining raw materials, transport issues and to help protect our staff. Unisto France will reopen on 14th April, after the Easter holiday.
Unisto is committed to continuing to provide the superior
service and support that our customers have come to expect of our company
throughout this situation. Of course, some orders may take a little longer than usual, however we will keep you informed and focus on urgent orders to ensure they arrive on time.
If you have questions or concerns about the supply of products provided by our Company please get in touch with us and we will do our very best to provide answers.
Donald Miller, Sales & Marketing Director, Unisto Limited