ECHAlliance member Tunstall Statement about COVID-19

We are committed to working with our customers and staff to minimise the effects of COVID-19 and continue to monitor the advice from Government. We have taken active steps aimed at business continuity in a pandemic situation.

We have further examined all areas of our business and supply chain to understand potential risk areas specific to COVID-19 and have considered the potential impacts. We continue to liaise with the TSA, and other industry partners, to have mitigating actions in place and we will continue to monitor the evolving nature of this situation.

Tunstall’s business continuity procedures have been developed to prioritise critical services delivery in circumstances where its workforce may be affected by widespread illness. This includes the dynamic redeployment of management and staff as circumstances dictate.

Staff continue to be advised to follow government and NHS guidance regarding travel declarations, self-isolation, the use of hand sanitiser, frequent hand washing, desk cleaning and personal hygiene.  In accordance with the latest advice from Government, we are combining normal workplace attendance with appropriate home working where possible.

This statement will be reviewed and updated as necessary as the advice from authorities (e.g. Chief Medical Officers, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Public Health England) changes.

Tunstall Response

In addition to its existing business continuity plan, Tunstall Response has assembled a crisis team to manage the effects of the COVID-19 on service delivery. Their focus is to ensure the architecture, infrastructure, network and deployment at Tunstall Response is prepared for the possible effects of the COVID-19. This includes additional personnel, facilitating increased offsite working, training to increase calls handling capacity, and a reduction in non-essential activities.

Supply chain

Tunstall’s standard stocking policy is to hold six weeks of component buffer stocks either at our suppliers, or in house, where goods are manufactured by Tunstall in the UK.  In addition, buffers of finished goods are held at our Whitley site. Over the past weeks, we have been increasing our stock holding in the event we may need to mitigate against the effects of the COVID-19.

To date, there has been no adverse impact on our manufacturing plant, or on our ability to despatch orders, as a result of the COVID-19.

The current status of manufacturing in China is generally positive. All of Tunstall’s suppliers are operational again following the extended Lunar holiday period, albeit some with reduced capacity, and we are now receiving shipments from China. Likewise, we are not experiencing any shortages within the European supply chain at this time.

Next steps

Any changes to this position will be communicated as soon as possible.