COVID-19 Update

Latest information regarding impacts from COVID-19

23 MARCH, 2020

With the Federal & State Governments announcing additional restrictions and lockdowns affecting some businesses, we wanted to provide you with an update on how GALE Pacific is managing this situation.

Account Management & Customer Service
Our flexible working arrangements have been extended to the vast majority of our office-based workers who are now working from home.
Where we still have a requirement for a limited number of people to be in our office, they are following strict hygiene and social distancing protocols to keep everyone safe. We still recommend Customer Service contact to be via email as a preference to orders.gale@galepacific.com. Account Managers can be contacted via phone or email, as required – they are also working from home offices and we have instructed them not to visit customer sites in order to limit any potential spread or exposure.

Manufacturing Facilities
Our Australian Manufacturing facility for Coated Products continues to operate at normal capacity levels. There is no change from our previous update regarding this. We have sought some further clarification from the Victorian Government who has advised us that we can “proceed with business as usual”.

There is also no change to our previous communication around our manufacturing facility in China for our Knitted Products. We continue to operate at normal capacity levels and we are maintaining supply into the Australian market.

Warehouse Facilities
We are also continuing to operate each of our warehouse facilities in Victoria, Queensland & Western Australia to service and supply our customers. Freight & Logistics are also continuing as they are considered an essential service, so we do not foresee any major disruptions, though it is likely some regular lead times may be challenging to meet in some circumstances.

Supply Availability
With the continuity of our manufacturing & warehouse sites we are confident of maintain availability of products for you. If this situation changes and we are required to close at all, it could happen quite quickly. We would ask you to consider ordering and taking supply of forward order stock early, where possible, so that any disruption to our business may not impact your business as significantly. If you are in a position to carry extra stock, we can work with you on a commercial arrangement to make this more viable for you. Please contact your Account Manager, or myself if you would like to discuss an option here.

We are monitoring the situation closely to respond and support our customers during this period of uncertainty and will communicate any further changes that may affect you. We hope you, your families and friends all stay safe during this time and if we are able to assist further, please get in touch.

Take care,
 
Steven Bath
Senior Manager – Commercial

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18 MARCH, 2020

At GALE Pacific, the health, safety and wellbeing of our people, customers and the broader community is our ultimate priority.
 
As the current and unprecedented situation changes rapidly, we will continue to monitor and act on advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Australian Department of Health to provide the appropriate response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
 
Business continuity - supporting you
With the recent developments, we are taking the precaution to expand our flexible working arrangements for employees to prioritise working from home and the use of digital communication to conduct business online.
 
Our technology supports a majority of our people to work remotely. We ask that any customer service contact is made via email as a first preference to orders.gale@galepacific.com. This will ensure the most effective response. All of our Australian warehouses are still operating at normal capacity levels and while there may be some slight delays in transport, at this time they are not significant.
 
Manufacturing facilities
Our Australian manufacturing facility for Coated Products continues to operate at normal capacity levels and we are working hard to prepare for ongoing production & manufacturing continuity over the weeks & months ahead.
 
Our manufacturing facility in China for our Knitted Products is operating at normal capacity again and has been for a number of weeks now. We are still receiving containers and maintaining supply into the Australian market.
 
Like all businesses, we will be subject to responding to Government and Health Department recommendations regarding office, warehouse or manufacturing facility closures should we have any confirmed cases, or if additional restrictions are implemented. If you are concerned about supply of critical products over the coming days and weeks as the situation develops, please contact your account manager or myself and we can discuss options to support you and your business to continue operating.
 
As we monitor our people’s domestic and international travel and adapt to government physical distancing and self-isolation guidelines, we ask clients and suppliers not to visit our offices - our people will continue to be available for business through their normal phone and email contact details.
 
We are monitoring the situation closely to respond and support our customers during this period of uncertainty and will communicate any further changes that may affect you.
 
We understand that the current situation has presented you with similar challenges and we are focussed on supporting your requirements through this difficult time. With your support, we can minimise the potential for disruption as we navigate these challenging times.
 
Take care,
 
Steven Bath
Senior Manager – Commercial