20th of May 2022
In an unfortunate turn of events, we regret to inform our customers that we are facing an unexpected supply chain disruption that has put a halt on our production of panels. The root cause of this disruption lies in the far-reaching consequences of the Russian war. The Belgian production company with which we have been working closely, is part of a Russian group, and has made the decision to relocate their operations to Russia. This move, driven by the outbreak of the war, has left us with no choice but to seek alternative solutions for the manufacturing of our Circular Matters panels. In this article, we will delve into the details of this challenging situation and explore the steps we are taking to mitigate the impact on our customers.
The Production Company Dilemma
Our journey to produce high-quality biobased panels led us to a production company in Lot, Flanders. Unfortunately, this company became part of a Russian business group a few years ago, and the recent outbreak of war has prompted the owner’s decision to discontinue operations in Belgium and shift production to Russia. This has left us with the immediate need to explore new avenues for fulfilling our commitments to our customers.
Challenges and Solutions
- Seeking Alternative Locations:
One of our primary objectives is to find an alternative location with the necessary machinery and expertise to produce our panels. This search may take some time, as it requires thorough research and careful consideration of quality and capacity. Our commitment to maintaining the high standards our customers expect remains unwavering, so we will not rush into new partnerships.
- Investing in Our Own Machinery:
Another option we are exploring is investing in our own production machinery. This would provide us with greater control over our production process, ensuring that we can consistently meet our customers’ needs, even in the face of unforeseen challenges. While this is a significant undertaking, it represents a long-term solution that can enhance our self-reliance.
- Communicating with Customers:
We understand that our inability to take new orders is an inconvenience for our customers, and we sincerely apologize for this situation. However, we believe that clear and honest communication is essential during times of disruption. We will try to keep our customers informed about our progress in finding alternative production solutions and the expected timeline for resuming order acceptance. But please forgive us if you don’t get an answer from us, or only a very late answer: our resources are very limited and due to the stop of sales we had to let go of multiple of our fellow team members, so we are understaffed and need our limited resources to find a way to get out of this mess.
- Inventory Management:
In the meantime, we are working diligently to manage our existing inventory of panels efficiently. This includes optimizing distribution and ensuring that our current stock is allocated to meet our contractual obligations with customers who have placed orders before the disruption.
Conclusion
The unforeseen disruption in our production of stop panels is a challenge we are committed to overcoming. While the road ahead may be challenging, we are dedicated to finding alternative production solutions, investing in self-sufficiency, and maintaining open lines of communication with our customers.
At this moment, we are asking for your understanding and patience as we navigate this difficult situation. We appreciate your trust in our products and services, and we remain committed to delivering the quality and reliability that you have come to expect from us. Together, we will work through these challenges, and we look forward to serving you again in the future.
