ADS, Ingram take precautions in response to Covid-19

Tuesday, 24 March 2020 Books+Publishing

Alliance Distribution Services (ADS) and Ingram have assured customers they remain open and operational following various mandated shutdowns across the country.

In a letter to customers yesterday, ADS said it will continue to pick, pack and ship orders within normal turnaround—although eventual lead times may be impacted by freight and courier services. The company has reduced its minimum order quantity to $100 RRP to support booksellers, adding that it will be fully resourced to process returns arriving at ADS. The distributor says it will be regularly discussing ongoing supply to ADS with publishers, and has increased the number of days’ supply of consumables, such as cardboard cartons and void fill, to protect against any potential shortages. ADS administration services will continue to operate as normal.

‘Our first priority and focus is to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff, our customers, publisher clients and the community at large,’ said ADS. ‘Secondly, ADS is doing everything within our control to remain open for business. I can confirm ADS will remain open and operational without any significant disruptions to our normal business as we work through this evolving crisis, unless forced to close by the authorities.’

ADS said that none of its staff have a confirmed case of Covid-19, and the company is ‘endeavouring to exceed the health authority guidelines on maintaining a clean and safe workplace in relation to Covid-19′.

Acknowledging that ‘all customers are facing individual issues’ due to the different mandated shutdowns across the country, ADS said, ‘We will endeavour to work with our customers and provide answers to questions as they arise. In the first instance, we ask you to contact ADS regarding orders placed and your ability to receive deliveries if your circumstances have changed.’

Ingram Content Group’s global operations—which includes print manufacturing and book distribution centres in the US, UK and Australia—remain open at this time.

‘Ingram’s wholesale, distribution, print on demand, and digital services fall into exceptions in the directives that have been issued,’ Ingram said. ‘Ingram Content Group’s operations are, therefore, considered essential and we are encouraged to remain open.’

‘We are monitoring all global geographies where we do business for announcements regarding Covid-19 and are adjusting our business accordingly,’ said Ingram president and CEO Shawn Morin. ‘At this time, we can report that all our facilities and distribution centers around the world remain open. Ingram Content Group continues to take actions to support the health and safety of all our associates as well as provide critical services to the industry in these difficult times.’

As of 24 March, Harper Entertainment Distribution Services (HEDS) is fully operational in all areas in Australia, with transport suppliers delivering as normal with all deliveries shipping to normal timelines.

‘With the current lockdown of all non-essential services in New Zealand, HEDS are now working with our NZ team in determining how this will effect servicing to our New Zealand Customers,’ HEDS said. ‘We will communicate to customers in New Zealand directly as soon as we know exactly who can be supplied.’

Books+Publishing has sought comment from United Book Distributors.

Category: Local news