Baldwin Updates

I wanted to pass along some Baldwin updates.

1. In December I announced Baldwin Estate lead-time on made to order product moved to 6 weeks.  We also announced the launch of an expanded Quickship program on 1/19.  Late December we started seeing some real pressure due to some shipping delays and Chinese New Year that could affect our lead-time.  I order not to go backwards on lead-time and make sure we are successful with the new Quickship expanded program, the Baldwin management team decided to delay the launch for 1/19.  New QS expanded launch expected to happen March 15^th.    Here is explanation from Baldwin management team. 
   1. Aaron Brueck – “Please find updated communication below regarding the pause on Quick Ship due to concerns over continued transportation delays and CNY. 

As operations continue to normalize following the disruptions of 2020, it is of the utmost importance that we move forward with consistent and accurate lead time information to our customer base.  There is nowhere this is more important than in the launch of the expanded Quick Ship program scheduled to debut next week.  While we are excited and eager for the launch of this program and the one-week lead time, we must ensure that at launch we can maintain that level of service.  The historic transportation volumes that have caused delays through the holidays and into the New Year are putting this service level accuracy at risk.  For that reason, we will be temporarily delaying the launch with a new target date of March 15^th. 

This is a disappointment in the short term, but we feel strongly that this temporary delay far outweighs another potential disruption after launch.  We are not willing to risk further disappointment making a promise we cannot keep.  Between now and March 15^th, we will continue to monitor these transportation trends and strengthen our inventory position to ensure we launch at and maintain the one-week lead time. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these unprecedented disruptions.  To show this appreciation, we have also made the decision to hold price in both Estate and Reserve with no increase in 2021.  The Baldwin brand is nothing without all of you, and we will continue to do everything in our power to earn your business and partnership.”

1. Baldwin Estate Made to order is still 5-6 weeks. 

1. Baldwin Reserve – Lead-time has officially moved to 7 days on acknowledgements.  The demand planning team had worked very hard to get all needed product in through CNY.

1. As mentioned above in Aaron Brueck’s comment above No price increase for Estate and Reserve for 2021.