Newton Print: What we’re doing to manage the Covid-19 impact
Latest update (24th March 2020)
In the light of the latest government instructions, we have been thinking seriously about how we manage our production facilities. The conditions surrounding ‘essential business’ are a little ambiguous for the moment and we want to make the right decision for our customers, our staff and the country. (Given the advice that the government has given to constructions sites to remain open where possible, following Public Health England advice, we feel that the decision we’ve made is the right one).
As we supply print to a number of ‘essential businesses’ (including patient forms and other critical collateral to NHS trusts) we feel that it is our duty to keep our production facilities open to ensure that we can fulfil urgent requirements. The last thing we’d want is to cause any disruption to the NHS.
As a result, our production facilities will remain in a state of readiness for any printing requirements and for every customer; all we ask is that you give us as much notice as possible so that we can plan our schedules.
Working from home, but still happy to help!
Needless to say, the majority of us are working from home (if only we could take litho presses home!) and just kept the minimum required staff to maintain production and HSE standards. We’re operating strict social distancing policies and cleaning regimes to ensure the health and safety of our staff and wider community.
If you’re working from home, we can easily arrange home deliveries – just let us know!
We’d also like to proudly announce that we have been able to retain every single staff member despite the uncertain challenges ahead, with help from the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Our staff are like family to us, and it means everything that we can be assured that we’re not having to make anyone redundant. Our current team is the best we’ve ever had, so we’re delighted that we’ll still have them on board once we’re through this.
We have a robust plan to not only survive this crisis but come out the other side stronger and better equipped to delight our customers every day, and we’d like to thank every single customer, supplier and partner for the spirit of camaraderie and unselfishness that we’ve witnessed over the past few days.
How to contact us
You can still reach out to our lovely team in all the usual ways – by phone, email or online chat (if nothing else, just call us for a chat – it’s good to talk and we really wouldn’t want anyone to feel lonely!). We’re also planning some Marketer Hub webinars to help guide marketers through these uncertain times, so watch this space!
- Phone – 01626 368986
- Email – [email protected] (or your usual contact)
- Live chat – www.newtonprint.co.uk
Our team will keep you updated as we’ve kept our plans flexible to ensure we’re adhering to government advice and regulations.
All the very best, stay healthy and safe (at home wherever possible!) and we look forward to continuing conversations!
Best wishes,
Simon
Initial Post (17th March 2020)
We wanted to write to all our customers and partners to keep you updated with our plans for dealing with the ongoing situation relating to Covid-19.
All our supply chains are remaining very much open and there have been no warning of shortages. All our staff are regularly monitored and we’re thankful that none of us are showing symptoms of Covid-19 at this stage.
We remain busy in production and have contingency plans in place to ensure production is kept going at all times. Our customer service teams are based in the office for the time being but we have the technology in place to work seamlessly from home as required and you shouldn’t notice any disruption to communication.
We remain available for contact on all the usual channels:
- Phone – 01626 368986
- Email – [email protected] (or your usual contact)
- Live chat – www.newtonprint.co.uk
Whilst our supply chains are fine for now, if you’re concerned for the stock levels of essential printed items then now is a good time to act. Check stock levels and reorder levels so that you have a plan in place to keep you and your business going.
What we’re doing to help
We want to send a message of support and encouragement to all our customers and partners. We are actively working on a number of plans to help marketers during this challenging time, including:
- Online Marketer Hub workshops, support sessions and webinars
- Printed direct mail with helpful, practical guidance on how to deal with the fallout from the pandemic
- One-to-one gratuitous support and assistance for any of our customers who need help
We are absolutely committed to helping our customers through this period of uncertainty; we’re a team of ‘realistic optimists’ and we’d love to share our knowledge, support networks and positivity to help you navigate these waters.
If you are working from home and would like us to send our new direct mail campaigns to you instead of your office, please send me an email ([email protected]).
Please please take care of yourselves both physically and mentally, watch out for others, stay strong and keep a positive mindset. We’ll continue to update our plans as the situation develops
With warmest regards and best wishes,
Simon, Tim, Luke and all the team at Newton Print
