Third Covid-19 Update – Reassurance for our clients

We have reached the end of one of the strangest weeks that any of us will have ever experienced. We are on an incredible journey and every day throws up new challenges, some we could never have dreamt we would have to face.

I have received many thanks from clients for our business updates and gratitude for the things we are doing to help keep the wheels of the printing industry turning. The team here are responding with a huge amount of gumption and I am proud of every single one of them for enabling us to keep you, our hugely valued clients, serviced so that in turn you can keep your readership and clients happy too.

As a famous retail company proudly states ‘every little helps’ and we continue to do our bit.

So here is the current situation at the Pensord Group.

Impacts to Date

The list of underlying health issues published by the government was less extensive than we feared and so the impact to date has not been significant.

We have had, at peak, 15 individuals self-isolating and I am pleased to say that we are beginning to welcome some of those people back to work after successful self-isolation.

Following the closure of schools, we continue to have only a very small number of employees who have no alternative methods of childcare.

So, whilst our numbers are depleted a little, our team remains strong and we are operational.

The flexibility of staff is impacted somewhat and operating at the recommended safe distance of 2m is proving a little tricky to overcome in some areas. So, these things are impacting speed and efficiency a little and timings of despatch are a little behind normal, but still remarkably good.

Please also bear in mind that the transportation network around the UK continue to prioritise the delivery of essential items, so this is having some impact on delivery timings. I am pleased to say that communication remains good and most clients are understanding of the situation the country is in.

Client Contact and Workload

Over the past few days, I have received contact from a number of clients who are suspending the publication of their title(s) until this whole thing blows over.

We understand that each and every business needs to do what it has to do to survive. We know these decisions are tough and the underlying message and determination in each case has been one of thanks, and we will see you on the other side!

For those publishers who are planning similar moves, I ask that you communicate this to us as early as possible so that we may forecast our demand on our services and deal with any unnecessary additional costs our business may incur, as a result of expecting more work than is the reality.

In another request to clients I’d like to pick up on a comment and commitment made by one client earlier this week who said: –

‘You’ve been a major part of our journey over the years and we want you to be with us when we recommence after the current crisis. So don’t worry about your bills they will be paid.’

In much the same way it is our aim to honour the commitments we have to our supply chain. Our paper, ink, plates and packaging suppliers have been partners for many years and we would like to pay them as a priority, alongside staff, and ensure a robust supply chain in the future. We will be prioritising these ahead of mortgage, rates, asset finance, HP agreements and HMRC and we just ask that you consider us in the same way.

On the flip side we have been asked by a small number of clients to continue printing despite not receiving payment for products produced and now over terms. We do not wish to offend, but cannot extend exposure beyond existing credit terms when cost control is more important than ever and bad debt exposure at its highest. Government support is available to all businesses and we will be accessing this to see our way through the next few months and to meet our requirements with key creditors.

In a nutshell

We are still operational. We have a safe and happy workforce currently and they have a huge determination to look after you, our clients.

We expect demand for our services will diminish as this crisis continues and we will continue to monitor our situation closely and react quickly to any moves we should make to protect people, jobs and minimise cost.

Should you wish to talk further or raise specific questions or queries, then please do not hesitate to pick up the phone or drop me an email or, speak to one of our Business Development Managers who are ready, willing and able to support

Kindest regards

Darren Coxon
Managing Director