NEWS

COVID-19

Shepherd Color is here for you!
Shepherd Color is here for you!

Latest Update: November 24, 2020

Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, in addition to our existing policies and procedures, we have updated our Face Mask Policy effective immediately. In an effort to further protect our employees, their families, and our business, we will be increasing the usage of face masks in our facility.

In general, face masks will now be required at all times in the facility unless you meet one of the following exceptions:

  • If you are on the production floor performing a job where a respirator is not required, whilst maintaining social distance
  • If you are in an office or work area by yourself
  • In other select, well-designated areas, if you are working alone and you are at least 6 ft. away from others
  • If you are seated in a breakroom on break/lunch and are at least 6 ft. away from others

This applies to all employees, contractors and visitors. Disposable masks are available from one of the many mask stands located around the plant.

Sincerely,

John Marten
President, The Shepherd Color Company

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Update: June 16, 2020

As Ohio starts to re-open, Shepherd Color will continue to rigorously enforce the policies we have implemented (described in our past updates noted below) for our employees. We are extending our "Work from Home" plans and reinforcing and extending all "Social Distancing" policies whilst we maintain full production and operations.

We encourage our employees to review our Employee Resource Portal often to reinforce safety precautions, including how to wear face coverings, hand washing techniques, and performing other daily health screenings as shown in the image below. Additional information can be found here.

All of us at Shepherd Color wish you and your families a safe upcoming Father's Day, and we thank you for your continued level of support and patience.

Sincerely,

John Marten
President, The Shepherd Color Company

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Update: April 7, 2020

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced April 2nd that Ohio's Stay at Home order has been extended until 11:59PM on May 1, 2020, and goes into effect at 11:59PM on April 6, 2020.

Shepherd Color is considered an Essential business and thus, is continuing its operations and remains open for business. We will continue to rigorously enforce the adjusted policies we have implemented and described below for our employees. We are extending our "Work from Home" plans and reinforcing and extending all "Social Distancing" policies whilst we maintain full production and operations.

All of us at Shepherd Color wish you and your families a Happy Easter, and we thank you for your continued level of support and patience.

Sincerely,

John Marten
President, The Shepherd Color Company

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Update: April 1, 2020

For our employees - We continue our Work from Home plan, where possible. All essential employees are reporting to their positions. We continue to ask our employees to cooperate by taking the key steps to reduce the transmission of COVID-19; social distancing, washing hands frequently, avoiding touching of the face, and regularly disinfecting surfaces. We have also developed an Employee Resource Portal that contains information to keep our employees safe during this time, including personal health information to relieve stress, ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as other resources.

For our customers - Chinese production is ramping up but it is taking some time for shipping containers to make their way back into circulation across the globe. This is impacting only a few deliveries for us. As COVID-19 cases are increasing in the U.S., some states are limiting certain activities to prohibit the spread of the virus. However, our suppliers are reassuring us they are not seeing significant delays and therefore, we see no threat of imminent supply interruption for our April/May production periods.

In summary:

  • We are not currently experiencing any major interruptions in raw material supply that would hinder our production schedules.
  • We expect global deliveries to the U.S. to continue to be somewhat sporadic due to the irregularity of transoceanic freight shipments and we expect this to continue for a while.
  • We believe our current raw material inventory management process (including local/regional warehousing strategies and safety stock considerations) is adequate to absorb any delays in supply that could occur in the near term.

As always, rest assured that we have excellent relationships with our supply chain representatives and they are working alongside us to maintain timely communication throughout this experience.

We continue to take actions based on facts and we will use information issued by the CDC, and other recognized U.S. authorities to guide our actions during this event. As things change, we will continue to keep this page updated.

Sincerely,

John Marten
President, The Shepherd Color Company

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Update: March 24, 2020

Effective at 11:59PM Monday March 23rd, under the direction of the Ohio Governor, a "Stay-at-Home" Order has been issued and is effective until April 6, 2020. This order prohibits holding gatherings of any size and closes all nonessential businesses.

Shepherd Color is considered an Essential business and thus, is continuing its operations and remains open for business. We will continue to rigorously enforce the adjusted policies we have implemented and described below for our employees. We are extending additional "Work From Home" plans. We are reinforcing and extending all "Social Distancing" policies whilst we maintain full production and operations.

Our global Customer Experience Groups, Logistics and Distribution Channels are working tirelessly to ensure all our customers are served to their expectations during this event. Our Sales, Marketing and Technical Support Groups are all working to continue to be available, support any questions and provide the expertise our customers need to maintain their businesses and be successful during this time.

All of us at Shepherd Color wish you and your families stay safe and healthy during this time, and we thank you for your continued level of support and patience.

Sincerely,

John Marten
President, The Shepherd Color Company

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Update: March 17, 2020

At Shepherd Color, we are committed to serving and supporting our customers - without exception. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to evolve, we want to let you know that we are taking steps to protect the health and well-being of our customers, associates, families and communities. As we carefully monitor the situation regarding the Coronavirus, Shepherd Color will continue to follow the guidelines of local, state, and federal government officials.

For our employees - we have implemented a Work from Home plan, where possible. All business travel has been postponed indefinitely, and all on-site campus visitors are canceled unless a business need is necessary.

All essential employees are reporting to their positions at this time. We continue to ask our employees to cooperate in taking steps to reduce the transmission of communicable diseases by doing the following:

  • Stay home if sick
  • Washing hands frequently, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid touching your face
  • Cover your mouth with tissues, or your elbow when coughing or sneezing
  • Increase ventilation by opening windows where possible
  • Regularly disinfecting surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks, handrails, counters, sinks, toilets, copiers

For our customers - as previously reported, productivity in China was greatly diminished in the weeks following the peak of the outbreak there and, as expected, this has led to some short-term delays in our supply chain for raw materials. We continue to keep a close eye on a handful of key raw materials that has an elevated risk from China but production of most of these materials has resumed and re-supply to our US distributors and warehouses is now taking place. Therefore, we see no threat of imminent supply interruption for our March/April production periods.

Please note:

  • We are not currently experiencing any interruptions in raw material supply that would hinder production schedules.
  • We do expect deliveries to the U.S. to be choppy in the coming weeks as Chinese producers scale up productivity, transportation routes open up to the ports and shipping lanes begin to function more normally.
  • We believe our current raw material inventory management process (including local/regional warehousing strategies and safety stock considerations) is adequate to absorb any delays in supply that is expected in the near term.
  • We are paying particular attention to any critical raw materials that may require us to take special actions to ensure continuity of supply, if that becomes the case we have resources identified to address those actions.
  • We continue to do all we can to secure supplies that we believe are most vulnerable while maintaining regular dialog with our supply representatives.

Rest assured, we have excellent relationships with our supply chain representatives and they are working alongside us to maintain timely communication throughout this experience.

We wish to take actions based on facts and we will use information issued by the CDC, and other recognized U.S. authorities to guide our actions during this event. As we learn of facts that drive up our level of concern, we will report it appropriately.

All of us at Shepherd Color wish you and your families stay safe and healthy during this time, and we thank you for your continued level of support and patience. We will continue to provide updates as we have them available.

Sincerely,

John Marten
President, The Shepherd Color Company