Here at Snow Peak USA headquarters in Portland, Oregon, we are closely monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation. Like all Americans, we are concerned with the rapid developments we are seeing across the local and national landscape, and our hearts are with the individuals and businesses who are enduring the initial impacts of this crisis.
The situation is changing at an incredibly rapid rate. To ensure we’re making the best decisions in real-time, we’ve identified an internal response team of leaders from across departments who meet daily, review response actions, and communicate transparently with employees. The decisions of this team will follow the guidance and expertise of the US State Department, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities.
As corporate citizens and as members of our local communities we believe we are called to act. The health and well-being of our employees, customers, and the broader community is our greatest concern, and I’m writing today with the actions Snow Peak USA is currently taking in response to the evolving situation.
Retail locations
Doing our part to slow the community spread of the virus, effective March 17, our retail locations in Portland and New York City will temporarily suspend operations for retail sales. We anticipate maintaining this closure until we are cleared by officials to resume retail operations and our leadership feels that we can responsibly do so without increased risk to employees or customers. During this period, we will support all retail employees with continuation of pay and benefits. Our leadership will continue to monitor the evolving situation and make decisions for resumption of operations based on the best available information at the time.
Portland Headquarters
All employees of our Portland Headquarters are encouraged to work remotely from home. We have implemented a deep cleaning of our offices and distribution center, increased sanitization procedures, and canceled non-essential work travel.
Online Orders and Purchases
With our headquarters employees working remotely and implementation of increased sanitization procedures, we feel confident that our distribution center employees can continue to safely report to work and fulfill customer orders. As such, we do not anticipate significant changes or delays to the fulfillment and shipment of orders for our online customers or for our wholesale trade partners. If we anticipate changes to our fulfillment schedule, we will update our shipping page and messaging.
These are trying times, and trying times demand a balancing force for healing. It is our fundamental belief at Snow Peak that time outdoors with loved ones restores the human spirit. As the nation braces for the stress and impact of this crisis, and as we move into a period of disconnection through social distancing, it is our genuine wish that all people find safe moments to reconnect with loved ones and restore their spirits outside - whether in the backyard, in the park, or in the wild.
Stay safe out there, and take care of one another.
Tohru Yamai
CEO, Snow Peak USA
PS: At Snow Peak, we embrace our customer’s point of view as our own. If you have concerns, questions or remarks, please don’t hesitate to direct them to [email protected].
