CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE
SU continues to monitor news of COVID-19 and account for its possible impact to several business aspects that will affect demonstrators (manufacturing, transportation, travel, events, etc.). The health and safety of demonstrators and staff is important to us and we appreciate your partnership and patience as we work to address this global issue.
We are doing all we can to mitigate the impact to our demonstrators and customers, including air freighting products when possible. Each week we will update the list below with the products in your market that we know will be (or already are) affected by these delays:
- 100082: Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker
Memento and StazOn Ink (New information this week)
We received inventory of Memento and StazOn ink products and fulfilled backorders in NA.
Product Production
Our manufacturer of ink refill bottles has been prioritizing the production of medical products, which means right now, our ink refill production is limited to the number of bottles currently at our Kanab facility. We expect production to be limited over the next several weeks, until our manufacturer is able to fulfill our orders for more bottles. In an effort to minimize the impact of these delays, we placed a limit on all the 2020–2022 In Color ink refills. Even with the limits, these colors have all gone into Not Orderable status. We will provide more inventory as soon as we can.
Our manufacturing facility in North America continues to work overtime and operate on two shifts. However, with a delay between shifts, being understaffed, and working to train new workers, our capacity is lowered. Through all of this, we are working hard to minimize backorders of stamps, Classic Stampin’ Ink, and cardstock, but there will be backorders on these products in the coming months—especially as our ability to react quickly to unexpected product demands is hindered due to the current situation. Our production of Classic Stampin’ Ink Pads is particularly limited at this time. We are focusing our efforts on fulfilling individual color ink pads before we move to collection assortments.
We are seeing delays in production from some of our North American suppliers but they are all continuing to produce products and if that changes, we will let you know.
All the factories we use in China are up and running, but the COVID-19 outbreak has caused more delays than usual in our ability to replenish products. Air freight coming from China is also in high demand, making it difficult to expedite products.
Shipping
UPS has suspended all shipping guarantees. This means you may not receive your packages on the days you expect. Even expedited shipments are seeing a one- to two-day delay.
Our North American distribution center is currently shipping within two to five business days after an order is placed.
