Not much hairiness!

Morning all,

Right, it's complete madness out there!  I can't believe the number of people phoning up wanting to join up as stockists of our hairy pots. We have been turning away multiple sales opportunities every day, it seems lots of people have just run out of stock, which puts even more pressure on those of us who still have a smidgen left. This week saw our perennial stock levels decimated, to a point where I can't put together a practical availability list today for next week. With a limited list and so much demand, the items on the list sell out too quickly and then we can't supply what is ordered, which is really upsetting at this end. I hate to disappoint people and we try really hard not to, but it is becoming impossible to operate normally with the current pressure. Consequently we have decided to only offer a 'mixed selection' of both herbs and perennials for the next week or two, or three. You can give us a bit of guidance by letting us know of any specific 'no thanks' varieties but it is the only way we are going to be able to sensibly eek out the remaining saleable stock, without completely losing the plot. It is not ideal I know and we are hoping sales take a bit of a dip as a result of this action, because not only have the plant stocks got to have time to recover, but the wooden tray stocks too. 

This is the next challenge. By the skin of our teeth we got through this week, sending nearly all orders out in our wooden trays, but we are going to start next week with virtually no boxes in stock. We have a few coming back tonight and on Saturday, from the last of this week's deliveries, but we have been using up the boxes as the van is being unloaded, so haven't accumulated many at all on site. I have some new box parts here at last, but not many, and we have to print and construct them before we can use them, so it's not going to be easy. You will have to be prepared to accept deliveries for the next week or two in our plastic lattice production trays, which we will need returned over time. Hopefully you can transfer the pots into wooden trays you already have on site, to keep up your displays. I know it's a pain but it's our only choice at present. 

Ok, to add to the excitement we still have no new van  and the older one is knackered again. Not too serious we hope, but it has to go into a Peugeot garage and they can't do it until the 20th. We can do about 150 miles in it before it automatically refuses to restart, so we should get a couple of very local trips out of it, assuming it behaves. We lost two members of staff this week, moving onto pastures new, and still have one on long term illness, so no extra pressure there. Luckily the rest of the crew are performing heroically to get, not only the record number of orders out there, but also potting more than ever before. We not only took on more staff but also refreshed our Lean Management training earlier in the year and slimmed down some of the main tasks and it surprised us all on how much extra we could get done without too many extra hours. It is still quite tiring and there is still so much of the season to go, so I am trying to pace it so we don't all get too over tired and lose the plot completely. Compost and pot supplies are just about keeping up with the  extra work although it's a bit hand to mouth. 

Got a good deal on printing toner last week and ordered a good dollop for delivery in a couple of days. A week later we have one cartridge out of 40 delivered and the yellow ran out. Ordered some emergency next day delivery toner along with some other accessories, only to be informed later that it had all been despatched except for, you've guessed it, the yellow toner. The third supplier came up trumps and saved the day and we could print again.

It feels like a bit of a rant this week, sorry, but it's all a bit of a challenge at the moment. There have been moments when I have wanted to get off the ride we are all on, but I'm sure it will all work out in the end. I just have to accept that I can't be as perfect as I would like to be, and of course usually am! Just ask Caroline.

Very Urgent Box return appeal

Please do send back any empty wooden trays you may have accumulated, we are REALLY, REALLY, desperate for them at the moment, otherwise we won't have anything to send the plants out in. The first few new box parts arrived this afternoon and we have more on order to bulk things up a bit, but at close to £10 a box this year, by the time we have printed and constructed them ourselves, it is not a cheap or easy option to simply increase box stock levels. We are spending £40,000 on the new stock but that is not helping us yet. As things stand tonight I have enough boxes for about half a day's deliveries next week so we are very reliant on getting more returned. I know they are an investment on our part, and over many years of multiple use they are still great value, but they only earn their keep if they are in proper repetitive use. Thanks.

Availability list highlights 

It's all damp and hairy and no one will touch it , please don't buy any more for a bit ! No list this week for herbs or perennials, because stock levels are so low. We can do a selection of our own choice if you wish, and can take a little guidance on any lines you don't need. We may restrict total volumes on larger orders to ensure everyone who wants some should get some. 

The herb range will operate on the same basis for a few more weeks until we can rebuild stock numbers. We have more herbs than recent weeks but still not many. Let's hope the weather warms and growth gets going. It's not ideal and I know our sales will be hit, but to be honest that would be quite handy for our own sanity!

Take care out there, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries