Update: 1/19/17: Custom orders have resumed.
* * *
As many of you are already aware, our lead times have been gradually increasing over the last several months. They are now at a point where they are likely to go beyond eight weeks and we consider that unacceptable. This is largely due to the tremendous influx of orders from the government and reseller channels, both of whom have long term delivery commitments. Because of that activity, reliable prediction of individual case shipments has become impossible. We felt that was creating a significant customer service issue.
Starting August 1st, our cases will temporarily only be sold only through our approved resellers. The one exception will be the Bullet series, which will continue to be sold on our website. Parts and accessories will also remain available. The scheduled two-tone run will go as planned, but was pulled in a month early to meet the cutoff date.
While we look for ways to stabilize individual case orders, we will likely return to the Quick-Ship program when time permits, possibly with some additions. Shipping from stock as inventory becomes available will assure that we don't overcommit. We hope to return to custom ordered cases soon, but have no timetable for it at this time. R&D will continue to move forward.
I had always hoped that we could do both, but large numbers of custom orders have created very difficult manufacturing logistics. They have defied any type of conventional solution that would be available to us. Hopefully, this will give us a chance to reassess our procedures in hopes of finding a better solution.
On a personal level, this was a very difficult decision and one that probably took too long to make. I was convinced that there had to be another solution, but none was forthcoming. No one wants to disappoint their customers, but failing customer expectations was simply unacceptable.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Our authorized resellers can be found HERE
Thank you,
Jim Keating
CaseLabs
UPDATE 8/23/16: We will be doubling production capacity over the next 60 days. It was quite a trick to pull that off with the constraints we had, but well worth the effort. Heavy machinery will be in transit soon and we're making major modifications to the production area for all of it as well as an expanded powder coating line.
We have started the process of bringing in additional personnel and training them as well as an additional production supervisor.
Finally, we will begin implementation of a new ERP system to better manage production and scheduling. It will take some time to have fully operational, but is an essential item if we are going to continue to grow. The old system clearly failed us when we were seeing a rapid rise in orders.
This was a major commitment for us, but we are determined to provide the best service we can. None of this is an overnight fix, but we should start seeing significant improvement in Q4 of this year. Quick-shop cases are expected to return by November, possibly late October. We still don't have a time frame for custom orders. In order to work without the issues we experienced in the past, they will have to be successfully integrated into the new ERP system so that we have an accurate picture of inventory and workload requirements.
I very much appreciate all the support we have had from the community. We'll do our very best to earn that every day. Thank you!
* * *
As many of you are already aware, our lead times have been gradually increasing over the last several months. They are now at a point where they are likely to go beyond eight weeks and we consider that unacceptable. This is largely due to the tremendous influx of orders from the government and reseller channels, both of whom have long term delivery commitments. Because of that activity, reliable prediction of individual case shipments has become impossible. We felt that was creating a significant customer service issue.
Starting August 1st, our cases will temporarily only be sold only through our approved resellers. The one exception will be the Bullet series, which will continue to be sold on our website. Parts and accessories will also remain available. The scheduled two-tone run will go as planned, but was pulled in a month early to meet the cutoff date.
While we look for ways to stabilize individual case orders, we will likely return to the Quick-Ship program when time permits, possibly with some additions. Shipping from stock as inventory becomes available will assure that we don't overcommit. We hope to return to custom ordered cases soon, but have no timetable for it at this time. R&D will continue to move forward.
I had always hoped that we could do both, but large numbers of custom orders have created very difficult manufacturing logistics. They have defied any type of conventional solution that would be available to us. Hopefully, this will give us a chance to reassess our procedures in hopes of finding a better solution.
On a personal level, this was a very difficult decision and one that probably took too long to make. I was convinced that there had to be another solution, but none was forthcoming. No one wants to disappoint their customers, but failing customer expectations was simply unacceptable.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Our authorized resellers can be found HERE
Thank you,
Jim Keating
CaseLabs
UPDATE 8/23/16: We will be doubling production capacity over the next 60 days. It was quite a trick to pull that off with the constraints we had, but well worth the effort. Heavy machinery will be in transit soon and we're making major modifications to the production area for all of it as well as an expanded powder coating line.
We have started the process of bringing in additional personnel and training them as well as an additional production supervisor.
Finally, we will begin implementation of a new ERP system to better manage production and scheduling. It will take some time to have fully operational, but is an essential item if we are going to continue to grow. The old system clearly failed us when we were seeing a rapid rise in orders.
This was a major commitment for us, but we are determined to provide the best service we can. None of this is an overnight fix, but we should start seeing significant improvement in Q4 of this year. Quick-shop cases are expected to return by November, possibly late October. We still don't have a time frame for custom orders. In order to work without the issues we experienced in the past, they will have to be successfully integrated into the new ERP system so that we have an accurate picture of inventory and workload requirements.
I very much appreciate all the support we have had from the community. We'll do our very best to earn that every day. Thank you!