COVID-19
Dear Valued Customers,
Future Electronics is having regular communication with our suppliers and our logistics service providers to understand how they may be impacted as additional countries continue to be affected by work and travel restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Memphis Area Distribution Center (MADC) - click here for more details.
Read Omar Baig’s Letter to Customers (dated March 26th, 2020).
At Future Electronics we continue to work very closely with our suppliers and logistics service providers on our joint plans to ensure we minimize any impact to our customers.
Update: QA Alert: COVID-19 Pandemic Update and Impact to Supply Chain - November 25, 2020
Our Worldwide Future Distribution Centers are fully functional and operational.
Shipments to customers located in China:
Delays should be expected due to increased volumes and government mandated fumigation of import shipments.
Customers shipping in RMB currency from MADC:
Effective May 5th we have resumed service from MADC to China using DHL.
Customers shipping in USD currency from MADC and EMEA DC
We can ship with FedEx, DHL or UPS to customers across China.
Customers shipping in RMB currency from APDC
- RMB Shipments to be shipped via DHL daily network flights to Shanghai Pudong Airport
- Shanghai lockdown continues this week. With some companies (strategically importance) getting exemptions from Chinese government to resume operation.
- New policies introduced for Shanghai airport, requiring 7 days quarantine period after shipment arrival. We will continue to route via Shenzhen to avoid this delay
- We continue to route shipments via Shenzhen and monitor closely as new policies and controls are being implemented to control the volume flowing into Shenzhen, there are possibility of flight reduction in coming weeks
- We continue to look for alternatives and monitor the Hong Kong border situation as a backup plan if direct flight to Shenzhen were to be impacted
- Continue to expect some delay, 2-3 days for Southern cities and 3-4 days for North and North-Eastern cities
- Test of special class shipments via Shenzhen gateway has been completed and we are clearing the backlog at the moment
Customers shipping in USD currency from APDC
- USD Shipments to be shipped via DHL daily network flights to Shanghai Pudong Airport
- DHL, FedEx and SF Express suspended pick up of shipments routing to Shanghai due to severe backlog
- Restrictions period has been extended till 22 Apr (for further updates)
- In view of the 7 days quarantine period introduced, which severely impacts the storage capacity in Shanghai, the suspension is expected to extend in order for clearing of backlog
- DHL is unable to process any uplift from Singapore to Shanghai at the moment, even for self-pick-up in PVG
- Re-routing to other gateways are also challenging at the moment mainly due to no direct flights to other airports and cargo quarantine period at different gateways
- We are doing some trial shipments routing via Shenzhen gateways, provided customer(s) is able to process clearance at Shenzhen
Global Air Freight Update:
Delays should continue to be expected on major routes, particularly to and from China as many flights have been cancelled and limited schedules have been announced throughout Q2 2022.
Global Ocean Update:
Demand continues to be strong on major routes and many sailings, particularly from Asia are fully booked for the next 30 days. These is a slight improvement in berthing times at Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports although considerable delays still exist.
Parcel Network Update:
Ground and air networks are operating well although some localized delays should be expected. The most up to date information can be found on the COVID-19 service information web pages. Links are here: DHL COVID-19 Service Updates and FedEx Coronavirus Service updates.
Future Distribution Centers: In order to remain available and ready to continue to serve our suppliers and customers, we have enacted stringent protocols to reduce the likelihood of a facility wide outbreak.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Safety of Packaging: A number of customers have asked us if the virus can be contracted on receipt of a shipment from China. Please see the response from The World Health Organization (WHO) below:
Is it safe to receive a package from China or any other place where the virus has been identified?
Yes, it is safe. People receiving packages are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus. From experience with other coronaviruses, we know that these types of viruses don’t survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.
What precautions is Future Electronics taking to keep it’s team members and partners safe in affected areas?
We are closely monitoring the situation regionally and meeting daily to update and modify actions plans.
What are the specific actions you are taking in your global distribution centers to prevent supply chain disruption?
In order to minimize and mitigate the possibility of COVID-19 impacting our global operations, we have enacted the following plans effective immediately:
- All non-essential travel has been cancelled.
- All visitor tours have been postponed indefinitely.
- Temperature screening of all team members prior to the commencement of every shift.
- Isolation rooms created to quarantine potentially impacted team members.
- Increased cleaning staff and have been added.
- Workstation wipe downs between shifts.
- Carriers/couriers are prohibited from entering distribution center common areas.
- Additional hand sanitizers, wipes, cleaning product has been purchased, distributed, and are in use.
- Split shifts and breaks where applicable to minimize contact.
What is the duration of these actions?
Our team is fully committed to ensuring the safety of our team members and customer supply chains are not negatively impacted. We will continue with these actions until the WHO and other health organizations suggest that it is safe to resume regular operations.
What are your partners doing to ensure continuity?
Future Electronics is in regular contact with all of our partners to review their action plans, capacity impact, and updated information in near real time.
Our priority is to ensure the safety of our employees and to providing our customers with security of supply, product availability and the information required to keep you up to date with the latest information.
Please be patient as this situation is evolving. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Note that while we are endeavoring to provide you with up-to-date and accurate information, we are relying on third parties, including governmental and public organizations as well as manufacturers and suppliers, for much of the information provided. We cannot validate this information independently and cannot be held responsible for its accuracy and completeness. Moreover, the situation is fluid and production disruptions and shipping delays are expected. While we will not bear any liability for these force majeure issues which are outside of our reasonable control, we will continue to promptly pass along to our customers any pertinent information we receive from our suppliers and logistics providers.