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Dear Vortexians,
I hope this update finds you well. As of now, all measures and policies we have implemented (see previous updates below) remain intact. We have ZERO positive or suspected COVID0-19 cases at Vortex. I can now see my hair on the back of my head, but am a long way from a Joe Exotic. Keep up the good work on keeping us safe and healthy.
We are still figuring out the self-temperature check stations, but need to get the necessary cleaning agents and procedures to make it safe. At this time, please self-check at home or stay home if you do not feel well.
Demand seems to remain steady for now, but not at the levels we set out to achieve in 2020. Obviously, there is not much we can do about that, but I am encouraged how we’ve managed to get through the past few weeks with a lot of resilience. Fortunately we have a diverse portfolio of products and customers that allows us to survive in extreme circumstances. It is important that we learn from this experience and make sure Vortex continues to remain focused on going from strength-to-strength as it applies to our portfolio and business practices.
The state has issued a plan to reopen (https://covid.ks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Reopen-Kansas-Framework-043020.3.pdf). We are in Phase One now, but the guidance is set out to define milestones, not a timeline. In order to get “back to normal” progress will be measured by monitoring the State’s testing rates, COVID-19 hospitalizations, ability to contact trace, and availability of personal protective equipment. At this point in time, the work from home rotations will remain in place for those that can. All non-essential vendors are still prohibited from entering either facility.
Here’s what you can do to help reach reopening milestones:
In other news, we have launched Shields for Salina https://www.vortexglobal.com/shields-for-salina/.Shields for Salina is an effort by Vortex to support the healthcare needs for local businesses and institutions, while providing needed funding to local charities. Vortex Face Shields are cleanable, reusable, and designed to meet various applications in this state of national emergency. For businesses or institutions interested in face shields, the cost is $21.50 per unit. All profits raised from the sale of a Vortex Face Shield goes to support local charities involved with feeding those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic throughout Saline County. Eligible purchasers must be from a business or institution from Saline County. Lead time and availability is subject to change based on demand and Vortex’s supply chain access to raw materials. Thank you to everyone that has contributed to making this happen.
Thanks to all that participated in Viral Week. You can see the recap video here https://youtu.be/vY1KWywniw8. In the meantime, keep up the good work!
Kind regards,
Travis Young
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Office: 785.825.7177
1725 Vortex Avenue • Salina, KS 67401
Dear Vortexians,
Another week passes and we continue to operate without any suspected or positive cases here at Vortex. Like many of us, my hair continues to grow out of control, making me wish I had invested in a Flowbee during the 1990s. Thank you for keeping safe, healthy, and vigilant.
From a Company Policy point-of-view, the measures we have put in place still remain intact (see company updates below). We have received thermometers, which will allow us to set up self-check stations accompanied by cleaning protocols at those stations. It will not be a mandatory self-check, unless we get a suspected or positive case within the workforce. We’ll keep you advised of when and where those stations will be available.
We still ask that all of our team members do a health check prior to coming to work (Symptom Checklist: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/224/What-to-do-if-you-think-youre-sick). Again, we want to do everything we can to protect you, your colleagues, and the company from a viral spread. We expect to keep current policies intact through May, even if the State of Kansas loosens lockdown orders. We encourage our team members to maintain social distancing practices outside of work.
We are still working on acquiring disinfecting wipes and an adequate amount of hand sanitizer. It has been difficult to procure, but we do have some on order. In the meantime, we have been using a mix of water and bleach to wipe down surfaces, which is a very effective way to disinfect areas according to the CDC.
As the COVID-19 pandemic peaks here in the United States, we have seen demand soften. With the Paycheck Protection Program loan in place from the Cares Act, we plan to keep our workforce employed by executing special projects throughout the company. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for businesses, with less than 500 employees, to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. Our hope and expectation is that business, and the economy at large, will rebound from this low after May.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of our operations at both 1725 and 304. Our sales team engages with a lot of customers on a day-to-day basis, and they have the opportunity to see how Vortex makes a difference in our nation’s supply chain. Below are a few examples to share with the rest of our stylish, intelligent, and good-looking team:
Thank you for all of your efforts in keeping us safe and delivering to our customers in these challenging times. FYI, you can still buy a Flowbee on Ebay. #vortexstrong
Kind regards,
Travis Young
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Office: 785.825.7177
1725 Vortex Avenue • Salina, KS 67401
Dear Vortexians,
Thank you again for staying “Vortex Strong” and doing what needs to get done to keep us safe and healthy. We have no positive cases to report here at Vortex, but that can quickly change if we do not follow best practices to lower viral spread.
Our team has developed further procedures on isolating and cleaning areas where a person suspected of having COVID-19 at work may have been. This is a precautionary measure until a test result is in, so don’t be alarmed if you see an area taped or closed off for 24 hours prior to a cleaning procedure being implemented. Vortex is being proactive as possible to avoid a spread amongst our team.
As reminder, it is very important to complete a self- health check prior to coming to work:
Masks have been distributed to both facilities. Again, we do not mandate the use of masks, but highly recommend using them to prevent the spread at Vortex. A significant spread amongst fellow Vortexians will have a severe impact on the company’s ability to provide critical equipment and parts to our customers in a timely fashion. Thank you to those of you that have worked so diligently to make masks for the team. Below is our recommendation on when to use masks:
If we get a case or suspected case, masks will be made mandatory per the CDC and KDHE guidance.
On a more positive note, I’d like to thank everyone at Vortex that has gone the extra mile to help with developing face shields for Salina Regional Health Center. I received numerous messages from Doctors and Nurses on how much they appreciate the effort. By adhering to best practices, we are helping them avoid a nightmare scenario at SRHC.
Also, attached is our virtual/viral flyer for our Essential Worker Events next week. Time to put on a cape, eat a burrito, cut a rug, and have a laugh!
In the meantime, my Joe Exotic bet is still on!
Kind regards,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Office: 785.825.7177
1725 Vortex Avenue • Salina, KS 67401
Dear Vortexians,
I am sure most of you are feeling bewildered by the events crossing our planet and impacting our lives. These are truly extraordinary times that many of us will never forget. We can expect more disruption in the coming weeks, which will likely be a painful exercise for our shareholders, our people, and the communities we serve.
With these extraordinary times, where our livelihoods are temporarily threatened, we must take extraordinary measures. Vortex is prepared for the ensuing disruption and the company is deploying all of its resources to protect you and your fellow Vortexians, not only from the spread of the virus, but your financial well-being too.
Fortunately, our shareholders have been very prudent in preserving a certain amount of liquidity within the company. This is normally earmarked for capital investments, like production equipment, expansions, and/or acquisitions that facilitates growth to benefit us all. This circumstance will allow us to weather this storm; however, could possibly deplete funds to take advantage of future opportunities. Not all companies are set up to survive this event, so we are blessed in many ways.
As of today, Vortex has implemented the following measures to help deal with this pandemic:
As things materialize, we will continue to adjust and adapt. Most importantly, we need to get through this together. You can be assured Vortex has your back as we fight through this unprecedented situation. The most important things you can do to make sure we prevail are:
Hopefully the government will give us more clarity on how it plans to address the financial impact we will all feel from this event. Until then, we must do our best in dealing with it as a family and not rely on outside assistance. As we have all seen, uncertainty can bring panic. There is no need for that in our collective situation.
Winston Churchill once said, “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” I’ve always been a firm believer in that statement, which applies now more than ever.
Thank you for your dedication through this event. Like always, we can handle it.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
—-
Kind regards,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Office: 785.825.7177
1725 Vortex Avenue • Salina, KS 67401
As noted in the above announcement, they are recommending we adhere to the 15 days to slow the spread campaign. As such, we will do our best to not hold any company meetings in groups larger than 10 people over the next 15 days (April 1st). This may not be practical (morning huddles with larger work centers) in which case we ask you a) spread out the group as best as possible and b) keep the meetings short.
