COVID-19 Coronavirus Outbreak –
Versatile Packaging
Supply Chain Response
We appreciate that with the regular news and updates surrounding COVID-19 coronavirus, there are concerns for supply chain continuity. Versatile Packaging is actively monitoring the situation and any potential risk this may have for our customers, employees and business.
Our response to COVID-19 is guided by the international situation, the advice of organisations such as the WHO, surveillance, data modelling based on the best available evidence and the recommendations of our expert bodies. Versatile Packaging continually monitor our supply chain for issues that may impact our operations, working closely with our suppliers to assess and minimize any potential effect. We have a well-established Supply Chain Incident Management (SCIM) process to coordinate our efforts during outbreaks like COVID-19, as well as clear requirements around approved suppliers’ Business Continuity Planning. We will enact the SCIM process to assess and act on critical activities should the situation change and affect our operations to mitigate any impact this may have to the business.
We will be running a much-reduced staff in our office and warehouse during this period. Access to our site has also being greatly reduced. This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but feel that it is in the best interests of our staff and customers to try and assist the national effort to combat this virus and contain it as much as possible. These measures will ensure that we can maintain a continuity of supply to you.
As this outbreak and the measures being taken keeps changing nationally on a daily basis, we ask for your patience and understanding while we try to navigate through this virus outbreak. We will take advice and work to best practise from the National government and the HSE to protect our employees and you our customers during this period.
We would like to thank you all for your co-operation & understanding as we carry out these necessary measures and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Please stay safe and we look forward to continuing to provide you with the best possible service.
Business Continuity Plan (BCP):
As of March 16, 2020 Versatile Packaging’s current business contingency risk assessment on coronavirus is: Low
Versatile Packaging has implemented a BCP to minimize disruption in our operations and ensure that our business remains viable during a potential major coronavirus outbreak. Among other things, the plan includes the following actions:
Plans should employees be quarantined or infected: Versatile Packaging has identified all critical business functions and is assessing and implementing ways to mitigate risk by strictly following WHO and HSE guidelines. Proactively, we have maintained a system to be prepared for an emergency in order to protect the interests of employees, customers, etc. to ensure the continuation of our business. Versatile Packaging employees have been split into two teams. One team will work off-site while the other team will be on-site. Employees have been asked to limit their movements outside of our organisation and to avoid contact with the other team at all times. A reserve Team is always to remain off-site until further notice.
Supplier management: Versatile Packaging has identified essential suppliers and is actively looking for dual source approved suppliers for our supply where possible. Our Supply Chain Incident Management uses a data-driven approach to carefully execute order fulfillment against the needs of partners, customers and the business. The lead-times for product/product families affected by this situation, both direct and indirect, have not increased and are not forecasted to increase.
Travel restrictions (business / private): Versatile Packaging employees are prohibited to travel at this time. To ensure the ongoing safety and welfare of our employees it is mandatory for our employees to inform management if a household member is returning from another country.
External visitors: Versatile Packaging have suspended non-essential visits to our office. Other visitors (couriers, an post etc) are limited to the widest extend possible, we now have a manned security hut at the gate to restrict unnecessary access to the site and to control movement around our site. Hand-sanitising gel pumps are available throughout the facility and all visitors are encouraged to use them. Lorry Drivers are asked to remain in their cab at all times and to follow instructions from Versatile Packaging employees.
Minimize health risk to employees:
- Versatile Packaging has always educated employees on good personal hygiene.
- Public Health Notices and sanitizing Hand Gel dispensers have been distributed around the offices, warehouse and on-site.
- Increased cleaning is taking place to prioritize risk areas such as door handles, communal spaces, tables and shared computers.
Supply Chain impact if COVID-19 becomes a long-term issue
There is great care and additional precautions being taken to ensure safety and continuity of our products. To date, there has been no delay to our normal supplier or logistics activities. Our suppliers are not extending product lead-times on products directly or indirectly affected by the disruption. By continually optimising our supply chain, we are able to quickly respond to changing market dynamics, minimising impacts to our business and disruptions to our customers.
Versatile Packaging has a global, distributed and agile supply chain. Our global network includes approved suppliers and manufactures located in various countries around the world. With our SCIM in place and our BCP as detailed within, we aim to avoid any disruption to continuity of packaging supply to your company.
We are aware of concerns of continuity of supply; however, we will strive to ensure that this happens by keeping communication levels regarding this issue at the highest level. We believe that the contingency plan needs to be in place, and it will still be a work in progress as COVID-19 develops. As and when we discover more about the disease and what, if any, impact it has on the Versatile Packaging, we will provide further updates on how our plans are being adapted to respond to specific, changing circumstances. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any further questions or concerns.
Your Sincerely
Enquiries may be routed to quality@versatilepackaging.ie with usual Versatile Packaging contacts on copy.