NIRVC Rettroband 3rd Update: Important Information For All Rettroband Owners!
IMPORTANT RETTROBAND UPDATE:Dear Rettroband Owner,
Unfortunately, this is going to be another good news, bad news email, thanks once again to the persistent, and lingering effects of the Pandemic. Now, I’m certain all of you are as tired of being frustrated, and inconvenienced by the effects of the Pandemic as I am. And, I certainly don’t enjoy writing about it, or trying to navigate a business through it. But, enough of that.
Here’s the good news! While the Nevada Auto Testing Center (“NATC”) was incredibly slow in getting around to testing our Rettroband Version 2.0, they did however finally test our Version 2.0 the second week in December. And, the results of the testing were virtually the same as they were for Version 1.0, including NATC using the same coach. The only difference was the speed at which the blowout occurred. However, due to the Pandemic we were not allowed to be present during the testing this time around, so I’ll report the results exactly as I received them:
“Results good, blowout at 55mph, could not get vehicle to 60mph, had full control of vehicle with no lane change wander, then travelled a total of 11.7 miles reducing to 30mph before tire fully shredded, but Rettroband still intact.”The NATC’s inspection and reporting process is currently underway, which will culminate with them issuing to us a report, along with videos of the blowout. In the meantime, we wait patiently.
As a refresher, our Version 2.0 has two improvements from our Version 1.0. The first improvement is a change in the material used. Version 1.0 was made from a Polyurethane composite, which was very good under compression, but unfortunately, we learned when overtightened it wasn’t good at stretching. And, since we couldn’t insure every installer would take the necessary precautions to avoid over-tightening, we changed from a Polyurethane composite to a hardened rubber composite. The second improvement we made was the addition of a stainless steel band inside each half of the Rettroband. This stainless steel band will act as a torque brake to prevent over tightening.
Our CNC work continued a pace while we waited for NATC testing. If you remember, we intentionally chose a coach with a short wheelbase, and a long overhang behind the drive axle for testing our Version 1.0, because we felt it was the most unstable coach. As I mentioned above, we used the exact same coach for testing our Version 2.0. Due to this fact, the first Rettroband Version 2.0 size we produced for the test was 255. Following the successful testing of our Version 2.0 we prepared tooling for the 295, 315, and 365 series using the exact composite ratio as was tested. In Australia factories closed December 18th for their annual Christmas holidays, and didn’t reopen until January 11th. Fortunately, we had a very committed skeleton staff who were willing, and anxious to keep us rolling. So, our tooling was completed, and production has begun for all the sizes mentioned above. Production for sizes smaller than 255 will commence shortly.
Now for the bad news.
Prior to the Pandemic, vessels operated by our shipping agents would originate in Southeast Asia, where the bulk of the ship was filled, and then sail onto Australia, where cargo for Australia was unloaded, and new exports loaded before proceeding across the Pacific to Long Beach, CA. However, the United States has imposed many new taxes on Asia, and when coupled with the very small export market from Australia as a result of the Pandemic, everything has changed. Shipping lines make their money by filling their vessels. Now, the origin of shipping has changed. Ships originate out of Australia, then sail onto Southeast Asia where they dock, load, and when full, proceed onto the east coast of the United States, and unfortunately to New York City.
Now, the problems start again with wharf disputes, and logistics out of New York City, which have taken the total shipping time door to door from 49 days to 74 days, or more. Compounding our shipping problems, is the fact, sailing cut offs have been reduced from six per month to now just two, or less. From all of this, I trust you can imagine the frustrations from our end. The solution we finally arrived upon, which is also why this email update has been so delayed, was for Rob to disband the contract with the shipping line/agency group we have been using, and seek new alternatives. Rob succeeded in generating a new contract on January 13th with a United States based line, which can give us Brisbane, Australia to Long Beach, California in 48 days, but still only three cutoffs per month average. Luckily, the three cutoffs per month are sufficient for us book ahead freight passages we can meet.
However, the painful reality is... shipping times are a variable dependent on the enthusiasm of so many different contractors between Rob’s factory, and our five locations. This reality renders it impossible for us to project, and schedule appointments at this time with any degree of accuracy. Notwithstanding, we are steadfastly committed to replacing your Rettrobands ASAP!
In case any of you are wondering, we have used airfreight sparingly in the past for emergencies, and we’ve checked into airfreight again, unfortunately it’s still not so easy. Before the Pandemic there used to be multiple flights a day across all carriers. American and Delta are now starting to take bookings again, albeit not many, but at least they are returning, and they certainly do get to name their price! Prior to the Pandemic the rate for air freight was $3 per kilogram. Today it’s $14 per kilogram, plus additional charges we’ve never seen before. Please keep in mind, we’re talking in excess of 14 tons for just the replacement Rettrobands. For what it’s worth, before the Pandemic the cheapest, and fastest airfreight was Hawaiian Airlines, however, like so many other airlines, they no longer fly to Australia due to COVID. However, we’ve been recently advised they are scheduled to restart their service in late March.
In closing, I want to make one thing very clear...
Rob and I want to replace all these Rettrobands ASAP, and put this chapter behind us! This has never been an issue of money. In fact, we reserved in our financial statements, plus set aside the necessary funds for all these replacements last summer when we made the decision to replace all the Rettrobands. The pain, or the financial “hit” if you will, was taken by us months ago. Again, we’d rather sleep well than eat well.
Finally, there will still be one more update email from me. When we can start scheduling appointments with certainty, you will receive my final email on this matter requesting you to please schedule your replacement appointment.
Safe travels, and all the best,
Brett Davis |
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