Interrupted Supply Chain Effects - Trampolines
We’re sorry that our blogs have been dormant these past few months if you’ve been missing us.
We hope you and your family have been keeping well.
It really has been an unusual and difficult time at every level; from everyone’s unique personal place, to globally.
Everybody has all been affected in ways that we never imagined when we purchased our 2020 Year planners. All plans went out the window very early.
We as a family and business have been fortunate in good health, had good business support, and kept well socialized in the workplace with the fab team here.
Wendy, my Downs Syndrome sister hasn’t had programs through this time so has been either at work with us or with our dad. She wasn’t happy to have her whole routine thrown around, but as a vulnerable person to COVID-19, she needed to be high in our thoughts and considerations (eg she really missed seeing people and giving hugs).
When the Governments Stage 3 directive came out, our team believed we might have to close completely so we emotionally went through the processes of how to manage all our team financially through the lockdown. (This was a really difficult situation to deal with, and for those who actually had to go through this, you have our empathy).
Thankfully, there was more clarification from the Government on what defined essential services, and as an online business, we had the good fortune of being able to continue to trade on throughout. I can assure you all the team entered what became a very busy phase for us with such a strong sense of team spirit, with relief and gratitude, we all had our jobs and each other.
The influx of calls and inquiries asking if the trampoline display was going to remain open ensured that we made the display accessible only by appointment.
Click and collect everywhere became the norm and we ordered in lots of food to support our local cafes who went all out on their takeaway menus. (we are all a little fatter for supporting them!)
Winter Stock Sold Out Early
If you are on our website looking for a trampoline right now, you will that we have a lot of red on it stating “Pre Order” as we are currently out of stock of pretty much everything.
With kids at home, group sports canceled, and for a time, not even being able to go to the local playground or trampoline park, families identified that trampolines are a great use of energy for a small footprint of the garden.
All our trampolines sold so fast; we went through our Winter stock before Winter even arrived. We traditionally go into Winter with low stock levels right after Christmas and Summer holidays as new stock normally arrives timely in July.
We placed our annual order in February as per normal (While our factory accounts person was working from home with 2 small children and no known date when the factory would reopen).
However, as the factories all went into lockdown in China and then the entire world has experienced lockdown; globally the demand for trampolines hit unprecedented levels and the end result is the supply chain is totally out of whack.
Trampoline Factory Timelines
Our factory in China resumed production Mid April, as they had to wait for other factories to resume first to create the materials for them to be able to produce trampolines. This factory also supplies trampolines to UK, Europe, USA, Australia, and New Zealand through a large range of brands.
Initially, they are making one size of a trampoline for each brand to get them moving with some stock; then going back and processing complete orders including spare parts. The Northern Hemisphere is getting some priority as they are in their summer and it is also a normal buying time for them.
We had initially been told our first container would leave late May. We were then advised of a three-week delay on cardboard. We predict there may be some more delays so we are looking toward August and September for new stock to be back in Geelong.
Once our range of trampolines has been produced, we will have mixed containers going into Brisbane, Sydney, and Adelaide again, and to your homes.
Spare Parts
As some of our spare parts are of a generic design, there has been an influx of people reviving old trampolines, so we have also had unprecedented spare parts sales for this time of year.
For the first time since founding our business, we are having long delays in spare parts too as they will come after the trampolines.
For this, we are deeply sorry. There is nothing more we would like to be doing than getting kids back outside on their trampolines jumping happily and safely.
New Zealand Trampoline
We have 2 warehouses holding stock in New Zealand. Auckland and Christchurch both were shut down for 6 weeks during the national lockdown, so no deliveries could be made.
As soon as the lockdown lifted, we were able to arrange deliveries for what had sold but then school resumed soon after ceasing any boost of sales.
Our team has made the decision to remove most stock from New Zealand and have it shipped to Geelong where we are servicing pre-orders and will now be able to help a large number of families who are waiting for trampolines and will save them the long wait that it has now become from China and manufacturing.
Moving Forward 2020
There has never been a greater demand for crystal balls and I can assure you I don’t have one, as much as I’d love to.
For this reason, we are encouraging anyone who is thinking about a trampoline for the kids for Christmas to Pre-Order as we don’t know if we will get our full Christmas order this year.
We offer Pre Order on a fully refundable 20% deposit for any reason.
As soon as we can confirm “Estimated Time of Arrival” you will be informed, but that won’t be until we know that containers are on the ship and have a docking date.
Please know we are doing our best, we are here to serve and provide trampolines and it is a difficult time when we don’t have stock or definite dates that we will.
To arrange a Pre Order please call us to process, this also gives us the opportunity to best guide each person in the understanding of the timeline.
We have had kids coming to the display testing what trampolines we have and deciding that the wait for a GeeTramp is well worth going without a trampoline in the meantime. This says a lot when the kids do come super hyped to go home with a trampoline that day.
Our display is again open to the public as is the store for drop-in advice, sales, and Pre Orders.
If you have any questions do feel free to call us 0352921100 or email
