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.
The global transportation network remains disrupted and far from normal due to the challenges caused directly and indirectly by COVID-19, this is likely to continue throughout Q1 of 2021.
Global Air Freight Update:
Demand remains to be strong and is outstripping current available air freight capacity as passenger travel remains low. In addition to this, delays of 24-48 hours remain at many airports due to COVID cases impacting the workforce, particularly ground handling staff.
Global Ocean Update:
Demand in the ocean market continues to increase with notice of 2-3 weeks required for sea freight bookings at many origins, this alongside a severe equipment shortage is causing an increase in ocean lead times and an unprecedented spike in rates, particularly from Asia Pacific. Congestion exists in many major ports across the globe due to limited workforce and equipment.
Parcel Network Update:
A severe weather event in the US during the week of February 15th has caused disruption across much of the US and Canada, delays should be expected in the coming week as carriers and business recover. Capacity remains a challenge across the parcel network. The most up to date information can be found on their 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.