Re-Opening of Customer Pick up and Showrooms Across the Country
I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with an update on Operations and Sales.
Effective June 1st GESCO Operations across the country has discontinued curbside pick up and has returned to our customary customer pick up service. In addition, commencing on June 8th all of our showrooms will open by appointment to serve our customers.
We continue to focus our efforts and actions on our three imperatives. These are, focus on the safety of our employees, serve the needs of our customers and suppliers, and safeguard the company. I am pleased to say that as a result of our policies and procedures, and more importantly our detailed practices, our Gesco family has remained safe and healthy during the COVID 19 crisis to date.
In April we reported the majority of GESCO employees remained on the job in our warehouses, while office operations moved to home office. At that time, we made the difficult decision to furlough some employees across multiple departments. We are pleased to report that we have started to recall some of these employees as the business needs and recovery permit. Our business while down, has improved from the low point and as we see further improvement, we will continue to return our furloughed employees back to work.
To facilitate this and the staging of return to offices by employees, we have monitored the containment realities and the business levels. Relating to containment, these restrictions are government controlled and vary across regions of Canada. The business levels and recovery drives the staging of our employee return to work decisions.
To ensure a safe return to work, we have focused our plan on setting protocols in these four critical areas:
- Workplace function and workflow safety requirements
- Testing and reporting procedures
- PPE (personal protective equipment) supply and usage requirements
- Contact tracing for our employees and visitors
Our diligence and detail in the development of this plan draws on government regulations, best practice overviews, and the assistance of our professional advisors. The result is a robust set of policy, procedures, and required practice that will ensure the correct social distancing and the protection of our employees whether infield or in the office while supporting and servicing our customers and suppliers.
We continue to be grateful for the support given by our group of investors, suppliers, and customers. I want to thank the entire GESCO family for your perseverance to move forward and adapt to all we have been facing. I look forward to continued success as we develop our business in the new normal with the learning we have gained both in business, and personally.
One behalf of our shareholders, executive team and senior management, I want to thank you. May you continue to stay safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Paul Green
President and Chief Revenue Officer
GESCO Group of Companies
About Gesco Group of Companies
Gesco is Canada’s largest group of associated floor-covering companies, managed by dedicated professionals, and offering a complete assortment of products and services. The company markets under well-established trade and consumer brands, supported with innovative marketing and best-in-class, national logistical services. Based in Brampton, we have celebrated over 80 years of success and are Canada’s leading national floor covering solutions company. We provide fashionable and contemporary products, comprehensive integrated marketing, and industry leading logistical services while operating on a foundation of solid business ethics and values.