Following the announcement from the Prime Minister Monday evening and the need for a “huge national effort to halt the growth of this virus” and to give the NHS chance to cope with the ever-increasing numbers of Coronavirus cases in addition to the normal instances of hospitalisation.
As a Company we have adhered with the government guidelines and adopted changes to our routines, including hand washing, social distancing, self-isolation etc throughout the development of the pandemic.
The specifics of construction activities, and by implication, its supply chain being essential in the context of the economy and minimising exposure is still unclear and will change by the hour as the Government considers its position.
Having considered both the ethical and commercial needs of the Company, including all our employees, our family and our friends as well as our interactions with customers and suppliers the Company is today preparing to cease production of all our manufactured products for a period of potentially 3 weeks.
We are still able to receive your orders, your enquiries (both pricing and technical) as our sales and technical team are working from home. For details please visit our website www.stressline.net
The construction industry, including the supply chain, is clearly at odds with the guidance and ethical needs to “stay at home” and the commercial needs to maintain profitability.
We consider that the importance of the wellbeing of our employees, our suppliers and customers, their family and friends far outweigh the need to remain open to supply those construction activities that are not critical and that are selfishly remaining open.
Throughout this time our employees will either be paid in full either from the Company or from the Company and the Coronavirus Retention Scheme for as long as possible.
Commercially, has this been the wrong decision? Our competitors may remain open again for selfish reasons, not for the good of the nation. I hope our customers can respect the Company’s decision and when we get to the “other side” remember the stance that we have taken to support the national effort required.
We look forward to re-opening as soon as practicable, in the meantime stay safe, stay at home.
Chris Fox
Managing Director and Owner
24th March 2020
