Products

COVID-19 Update

12 May 2020

Richards has returned to normal production capacity. Our dedicated employees showed tremendous resolve and teamwork during troubling times. We continue to closely monitor the evolving nature of this epidemic. Richards is steadfast in remaining proactive and employing the best possible measures to minimize risk and protect workforce and others. We thank our customers for their understanding as we worked through some interruptions in April. Please feel free to contact us for more specific information at any time.

 

2 April 2020

Richards is experiencing a significant disruption of our workforce due to the severity of COVID-19 in the New York Metropolitan Area.  Our ability to manufacture, pack and ship our product has been reduced. We are seeing a stretching of lead times and delays in shipping our open orders.  This is a fluid situation as our available human resources are fluctuating daily.  Please contact us for specific information regarding products and orders.

 

23 March 2020

Richards Manufacturing Company has been closely following the implications of the COVID-19 situation to make proactive, informed decisions and mitigate risk. Richards is committed to help in whatever way possible to contribute to disease prevention for the protection of our employees, partners, and customers. We understand that our customers depend on our products for energy distribution and we go to great lengths to maintain uninterrupted supply and service.

Richards is doing its part to help flatten the curve and taking action to protect our employees and our community while still providing product to our valued customers. Last week we decided to implement a split workforce measure which divides our workforce into two groups. These groups will, for the time being, alternate weeks on-site. Those who can do their job remotely will do so during the weeks they are off-site.

This measure was taken to reduce the density of workers in our facility and to mitigate the risk of widespread infection across the entire workforce. We have also taken measures to increase cleaning regiment of our facility and have communicated CDC recommendations for social distancing and disease prevention to our workforce. These measures were outlined in our previous COVID19 update. In our State of New Jersey, the Governor declared a state-wide “Stay at Home Order” that took effect 9pm March 21st. However, manufacturers can remain open. We are a trusted supplier to the electric and gas distribution sector and will do everything in our power to remain productive during these unprecedented times.

Although we are operating, our throughput will be lowered by this temporary reduced workforce plan. As such, our lead times may increase on certain items. We will work with our customers to prioritize urgent orders as best as we can throughout this pandemic. We encourage our customers to communicate changes to their work schedules during these fluid times so Richards can appropriately allocate manufacturing capacity.

 

13 March 2020

Richards Manufacturing Company has been closely following the implications of the COVID-19 situation to make proactive, informed decisions and mitigate risk. Richards is committed to help in whatever way possible to contribute to disease prevention for the protection of our employees, partners, and customers. We understand that our customers depend on our products for energy distribution and we go to great lengths to maintain uninterrupted supply and service. Below is an update regarding measures and policies Richards has adopted over the past several weeks.

  • Richards maintains large inventory of subcomponents to manage large un-forecasted demand.
  • We are a vertically integrated manufacturer, allowing us to produce many items in house. We often utilize our internal machine shops as a “second supplier”.
  • Richards works with many suppliers for subcomponents and other services. We have a large network of approved suppliers to draw from to offset delays.
  • As such, there’s no anticipated impact to our business from a supply chain standpoint presently.

  • Regarding our efforts to protect our workforce and others:
  • We have increased cleaning/sterilization of facilities.
  • We have educated and posted information all around about proper disease prevention practices.
  • We have restricted on-site visits at Richards to only essential meetings (all are reviewed and approved by ownership going forward).
  • We have begun asking employees about plans to travel outside of the country.
  • We have encouraged everyone to get flu shots and stay away if they feel ill.
  • We have verified that remote desktop is setup and functioning for critical employees.
  • We have encouraged employees with immune-system issues to work from home.
  • We have encouraged all employees to follow the advice of government agencies and medical personnel.

Please let us know if you have any specific questions.