March 31, 2020

Update from Dr. Shade, Inc. on the COVID-19 virus

Yes! We are open for business

         We are pleased to advise that Dr Shade has been identified as an essential business. This means that we will be able to continue meeting our customers needs for ongoing construction projects,  and also that we will continue supporting the economic needs of our employees and local community. We are receiving, manufacturing, and shipping orders,  and we are carefully monitoring our supply chain.  Key suppliers are also continuing operation and are shipping us the materials we need.  Our business continues to be strong.  The phone numbers and email addresses that you use to contact our sales team are all working.  Please use our website contacts to find the direct line of the person you need to reach.  We are still ready to accept your quotes and orders,  but communication may be a bit slower.

Shipping and Delivery
         In many areas, deliveries are still being made. Our truck carriers now require confirmation that the addressee is open for business and accepting deliveries,  before they will accept our shipments.  to deal with this problem,  we are asking our customers who cannot accept deliveries at this time to either wait to place the order or enter it and ask us to put the order on hold. If the product is shipped out and returned to us, freight costs will increase dramatically.
     When an order needs to be shipped to an area that is under a “stay at home” order, and to a facility that has not been deemed essential, we may need to delay manufacture and shipment.
     Our sales team is asking for additional contact information when accepting orders.  We are asking our dealers to provide their customers’ very best and most accessible contact point,  and to tell the customer to watch for our call.
     Our salesperson will call when the products are ready to ship,  so dealers and customers should watch for their calls and messages—their shipment is waiting!  As soon as we have received confirmation,  the shipment will leave Dr. Shade on the next truck.
     To date, we are keeping up with our shipping schedule. With your help, your orders can be delivered on time.

Health and Safety
         We are taking great cautions to keep our employees safe. We have been in near-daily communication with the Bergen County Health Department for the past three weeks, and we have implemented or exceeded all the recommendations they have proposed to us. We have significantly relaxed our attendance policy, and our onsite employees have all been offered the option to take a leave during this crisis with no impact on their employment at Dr. Shade. Employees who are able to do their work from home are doing so.

Here are some other actions we have taken: 
• Meetings are held through teleconference whenever possible, and business travel has been stopped.
• We have increased our cleaning and sanitizing practices, both through increased hours for the custodial staff and designated sanitizing time for employees to clean their own work areas.
• Visitors have been banned from the premises. Truck drivers are required to remain in their vehicles during pickup and delivery.
• Employees showing any symptoms are required to stay at home.
• Gatherings are limited to less than 10 people.
• All employees are to maintain social distance while on the premises.

     This is a fast-moving situation, with changes coming every day. We will continue to monitor the health situation in our home community of Demerest, New Jersey, and will respond with the necessary precautions to keep our workforce safe.
In the interest of transparency with our customers, suppliers, and partners, Dr. Shade will continue sharing updates regarding our business status as the pandemic conditions change.

Thank you for your continuing business, and please stay safe!