COVID-19 UPDATE - 24.03.20
Dear Customers
As of Tuesday 24th March, and in line with Government recommendations, our factory is closed for an initial period of three weeks. Over recent weeks there has been a delicate balancing act between ensuring the welfare of our staff and maintaining effective service levels for our loyal customers. It has now become clear to the Directors of New Design Group that the welfare of our staff and of the wider general public must take priority.
To the very best of our ability we have listed below answers to 5 key questions that we believe you will want responses on.
What if I have orders currently mid-production?
Please contact either Kate Hough (Customer Services) kate@newdesigngroup.co.uk or Ben Wright (Sales) ben@newdesigngroup.co.uk. As mentioned above, the factory is technically closed but we work with all manner of organisations in both the public and private sector. If you have an ongoing order that you feel falls into the Government’s definition of “absolutely critical” then please get in touch, we might be able to help, and we will do our best.
What if I have an order I’m about to place ?
In an industry standard 6 week manufacturing cycle most physical manufacturing actually happens towards the end of that period. The earlier weeks are allocated to planning, design and the ordering of raw materials and all these departments are all still functioning in the form of home working. As things stand we are being advised to close for 3 weeks so we calculate that we will need to increase our standard lead-time by 2 weeks to 8 weeks during this period.
Whilst by no means definitive, the below table will show you how we have arrived at this:
General Rule for Standard Production at New Design Group
Week 1 Order processing and raw material ordering
Week 2/3 Design work
Week 4/5 Manufacturing
Week 6 Assembly & Dispatch
General Rule for Production During Period of Enforced Closure at New Design Group
Week 1 Order processing and raw material ordering
Week 2/3 Design work
Week 4/7 Manufacturing
Week 8 Assembly & Dispatch
Can I cancel an order already placed?
Our normal terms and conditions will apply in this regard. Charges for cancellation will vary depending on how advanced production is and what raw materials have already been committed to and how much design time has been utilised.
New Design Group is committed to its industry. It is vital that as an industry we all honour our commitments to suppliers and customers alike and if we all remain determined not to break this chain then will emerge intact and able to continue.
Are your other departments still working?
Yes, the following departments are all still currently working:
Customer Services – Kate Hough kate@newdesigngroup.co.uk
Sales – Ben Wright ben@newdesigngroup.co.uk
Design – Luke Winn luke@newdesigngroup.co.uk
Accounts – Andrew West andrew@newdesigngroup.co.uk
What if we are a supplier to New Design Group, what do we do?
We will still need the goods we currently have on order with you so please do not worry in that regard and we will need to arrange delivery as soon as we re-open. Please get in touch using the details above if you would like an update.
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Lastly may we please implore you to follow Government guidelines to the letter, stay safe and do whatever you can for your local community without putting yours or their health at risk.
Stay safe.
The New Design Group Team.