Tag: International Sourcing

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Minimizing The 3 Major Risks of International Sourcing | BlinkGlobal

There is no debate in saying that the benefits of international sourcing are endless. Manufacturing capabilities that sometimes are unavailable domestically and availability to cutting-edge technologies that exist in certain markets make international sourcing a wise choice.

However, with great opportunities come great risks. Owing to the rapid changes in the global market environment, potential risks and uncertainties are now also part of the game. It is very important that you understand these risks, make a scientific assessment, and then analyze if international sourcing is the right choice for your business.

So what are the common risks and dilemmas? How can organizations minimize these risks and optimize the benefits of international sourcing without jeopardizing their investments and supply chains?

Unexpected Delay in Shipping:

Various factors can cause expected delays in shipping. Shipment delays can pose some of the most serious constraints to business operations. The most common factors include vessel delays, disruption in logistics, as well as lack of coordination of the freight. If you are transporting via sea, be prepared for things like bad weather, shortage of space in the vessel, and port congestion.

Solutions include advanced planning and not relying on the vendor-provided ETA but calculating the expected delivery time yourself. Calculate the probable transit time considering the possible delay factors such as weather conditions, holidays in various parts of the world and then make a plan based on the evaluated factors. Experts suggest adding at least one week to the expected transit time as a provision to the unexpected delays.

Quality Risks:

Quality assurance remains the biggest concern as you cannot monitor and manage the manufacturing process in a foreign land. If the supplier compromises on product quality, your whole investment can go down the drain. Quality risks can occur due to serval reasons such as lack of communication and misunderstanding. It’s not that suppliers overseas are some fraudsters ready to rob you but it’s often the lack of communication that results in unintended consequences.

One way to evaluate the supplier’s capacity to meet your quality requirements is by asking for a physical product sample prior to placing a real order. Many suppliers volunteer sampling requests as it demonstrates their seriousness and depicts that they are truly up to the task. You can also consider virtual product samples. It can either be a 2D rendered image created in Photoshop or sophisticated 3D product samples that can be tested in a digital environment.

Unexpected Costs

International sourcing is a popular choice because it is cost-effective but there are certain hidden cost factors that you must be prepared for. The most common is the fluctuations in the foreign exchange rate. Moreover, the cost of delays, losses in transit, an unexpected rise in transaction costs, contract management costs, legal discrepancies, and many other factors can contribute to the rising costs of international sourcing.

The best way to counter cost risks to sit with an expert or someone involved in international sourcing and do in-depth research of the suppliers across various locations. Take time and develop a deep understanding of the process and spot all underlying cost risks. Moreover, it’s always wise to spare a margin for unexpected expenses.

BlinkGlobal – Your International Sourcing Partner

It’s wise to partner with a reliable sourcing company as they have import and export agents that have expertise in cost reduction and quality assurance. With our deep understanding of global sourcing, we supply B2B industrial and consumer products with centralized procurement and high delivery precision. BlinkGlobal is ready to help you!

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Value Chain vs Supply Chain: What is the difference? | BlinkGlobal

Value chain and supply chain are two of the most widely used jargon in the business and commerce sectors. Many entrepreneurs confuse value chains with supply chains and vice versa. The difference between the two is apparently very subtle but there is a big difference.

In this post, we are going to look at value chains and supply chains. What both terms stand for and the differences and similarities between the two terms.

Supply Chain

In a nutshell, Supply Chain refers to the integration of all operations involved in the process of manufacturing, sourcing, procurement, conversion, logistics, and warehouse management. Supply chain activities comprise the flow of information, products, and funds between all the stages of creating and selling a product. From procurement to management to logistics, every step is a part of the company’s supply chain.   

It’s important for any organization to keep their supply chains moving as disruptions can have major repercussions. Here are the major functions of supply chains.

  •         Raw products procurements
  •         Product development
  •         Logistics
  •         Operations
  •         Distribution
  •         Resource Management

At its very base, the primary concern of supply chain management is to effectively manage the supply and demand equilibrium while delivering the products at the right time, place, and at the right cost. Proper supply chain management can help organizations reduce consumer costs and increase their overall profits.

Value Chain

In a nutshell, value chain refers to a series of business operations and creative measures that an organization takes to add value and utility to the goods and services offered by the firm. The concept of value chain comes from both a branding and business management perspective. The process involves experimentation, interpretation, and improvisation to cut back on the shortages and work with people involved at different stages of the chain.

Value chain tends to be traced in the opposite direction to the supply chain.  Value chain essentially flows in reserve to supply chain starting from end customers and going all the way up to the manufacturing and procurement of raw materials. Here are some major functions of supply chains.

  •         Finding new and better raw material
  •         Innovate and improve manufacturing processes
  •         Simply packaging
  •         Improve delivery
  •         Quality assurance

Spotting shortcomings and maximizing the new opportunities can help any organization have a competitive edge over players in the industry

The Main Difference between Value Chain & Supply chain

In simple layman’s terms, the ultimate difference between a supply chain and a value chain is the most apparent fact that supply chains do not involve value addition. The supply chain is all about keeping the supply and demand cycle optimized whereas value chains are about optimizing the supply chain for quality and adding value to make the products more presentable and resourceful for the clients.

About Blink Global

Your Global Sourcing Partner. With our deep understanding of global sourcing, we supply B2B industrial and consumer products with centralized procurement and high delivery precision. We are ready to help you make the right decision with our Price Audit Services. Get an estimate today!

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Top 4 Benefits of Outsourcing Your Supply Chains | BlinkGlobal

Supply chain management can be a gruesome and demanding task. Despite the rapid advancements in automation, enterprise risk management programs, and the availability of sophisticated communication networks many enterprises still struggle to manage their supply chain efficiently. This is largely because many enterprises face difficulties in understanding and optimizing the critical elements of supply chains such as procurement, product development, and distribution network.

Smart companies and business owners understand the importance of the skill and expertise that are required to run the supply chain efficiently. This is why many business owners outsource their supply chain department when they realize that they don’t have access to expert resources.

Outsourcing supply chains is not a new concept and has been around for a while now. Professional supply chain companies provide support and services that are backed with research, experience, and cutting edge technologies that help your business prosper.

Here are some benefits of outsourcing your supply chains.

Focus on Other Business Aspects:

Every business has its strengths and weaknesses. If supply chain management is an area where your company struggles to excel at, better let the experts handle that front so you can focus more on your strengths and capitalize them properly.

Supply chain management is a time-draining task and by outsourcing, you can utilize those precious hours on other important aspects such as marketing, customer support, PR, and innovating your products and services. Focus on your core competencies and make your company more productive.

Reduced Operational Cost

The upfront cost to establish a powerful and efficient supply chain department requires hundreds and thousands of dollars. For startups and companies with low revenue, putting up a supply chain infrastructure may mean comprising other areas such as marketing, or packaging, etc.

Third-party supply chain partners have already invested in the infrastructure development that provides the most cost-effective supply chain solutions. Moreover, they have expertise, knowledge and the skill to optimize transportation, reduce material costs, and provide better inventory management.

Prepare for the Future

3rd parties have in-house research and development teams that can help your business prepare for the future. If your demands are increasing or declining, the experts will do the math to help you analyze if your demand and supply are optimized for future needs.

With the help of supply chain consultancy, you’ll be able to produce and deliver the right quantity of products that can easily cater to your customer base rather than overproduction or underproduction that can cause your troubles.

Supply Chain Risk Mitigation:

The supply chain can never be 100{7e1984170fd929454d69f1f4a772917cb839fb26f7e1ecd6c8a5e6994cf1a858} secure and are always prone to risks. They may be internal risks such as Manufacturing Risk, Planning and Control Risks, Planning and Control Risks, or external risks such as Natural Disaster Risk, geopolitical risks, etc.

3rd parties run mock tests to identify areas of your supply chains that have high-risk vulnerability. Moreover, they estimate the financial and reputational impact of possible disruptions and develop mitigation contingency plans that will help you reduce the impact of any disruptive event.

About Blink Global

Your Global Sourcing Partner. With our deep understanding of global sourcing, we supply B2B industrial and consumer products with centralized procurement and high delivery precision. We are ready to help you make the right decision with our Price Audit Services.

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5 Tips to Maintain Product Quality When Buying From Overseas | BlinkGlobal

Much like international relations, international procurement is a matter of cost and benefits. When you decide to buy from overseas, your only objective is to benefit from the competitive markets existing in other parts of the world. Harvard Business Review says that certain countries have an inherent advantage in succeeding in particular industries. This is because their home environment favors those industries.

However, international buying can be very challenging and involves a lot of risks as every country has its subjective way of doing business. It can be very different from how things are done in your home.  Amongst other risks, quality assurance remains the biggest concern as you cannot monitor and manage the manufacturing process in a foreign land. It’s wise to partner up with a reliable sourcing company as they have import and export agents that have expertise in cost reduction and quality assurance. Otherwise, you have to be extra vigilant to ensure that you are delivered what you were promised.

Here are some tips to ensure quality when buying from overseas.

Screen Suppliers

An important part of selecting suppliers is to first make sure that they can provide what your business needs and what you want to achieve, rather than just picking suppliers who want to sell you. A good way to get a reliable supplier is by seeking recommendations from your business acquaintances or you can also look for online reviews about different suppliers. Your business acquaintances are likely to give you an honest review of the quality management and the strengths and weaknesses of that supplier.

Ask for Product Samples

One way to gauge the supplier’s capacity to cater to your quality requirements is by asking for a physical product sample before placing a real order. Most of the suppliers cater to sample requests as it demonstrates their seriousness and depicts that they are truly up to the task. If the supplier is unable to send samples as it’s expensive to ship smaller quantities of products, you can consider virtual product samples. It can either be a 2D rendered image created in Photoshop or sophisticated 3D product samples that can be tested in a digital environment.

Price Comparison

Ask for quotes from various suppliers. If a quote from a certain supplier is too good to be true, you may need to think twice about that deal. What would you expect from a steak priced at $4? The supplier that is quoting way too low is likely going to compromise on quality. This may not be the case always but we recommend that you be extra careful with suppliers that offer unreal quotes.

Communicate Communicate Communicate

Once a supplier is on board, make sure there is no communication gap. Talk to their representative regularly and tell them about your expectations. Deploy a technical member of your team on the communication front. Talk to the supplier’s engineers and relay your requirements clearly. Language can often be an issue when buying overseas so make sure that both parties (you and the supplier) can easily understand every detail.

Never Pay Everything Upfront

Many suppliers offer discounts on paying the total amount upfront but if you are dealing with a certain supplier for the first time, it’s better to obtain credit terms from the supplier. It will encourage the supplier to ensure quality and make the deliveries on time. While developing the contract, clearly mention the specifications and expectations.

Talk to the Experts:

At Blink Global, we provide sourcing consultancy. We have agents in all parts of the world to give you access to the leading suppliers and get the best rates.  Contact us for more information. 

 

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Supply Chain Risk Management – How to Mitigate the Risks | BlinkGlobal

Supply chains are to the economy what arteries are to the blood circulatory system. Healthy and efficient supply chains are the signs of a good economy whereas, clogging at any point can prove to be fatal for the entire system. Without an effective supply chain ecosystem, you will have no products to sell, no inventory to stock, and ultimately no revenue to earn.

COVID-19 caused supply chains to cease, and the effects were felt in every industry. Even after the reopening of economies and the recommencement of transport operations, the ripples of the earlier disruption can still be felt everywhere. However, businesses have now entered the recovery phase as supply chains have started to move and recover.

COVID-19 Exposed the Vulnerability of Supply Chains

COVID-19 has it made very clear that risk is always a part of supply chains. As per the ISM Virus survey, 75{7e1984170fd929454d69f1f4a772917cb839fb26f7e1ecd6c8a5e6994cf1a858} of Companies reported supply chain disruptions.

The rapid advancements in automation, enterprise risk management programs, sophisticated communication networks, and single-sourcing have allowed organizations to increase efficiency and streamline their processes. However, the new systems, on the other hand, have also given birth to newer risks.

The increase in cyber-warfare campaigns, the outbreak of a pandemic, natural disasters, uncertainty in international politics, and significant corporations filing for bankruptcies – supply chains can never be 100{7e1984170fd929454d69f1f4a772917cb839fb26f7e1ecd6c8a5e6994cf1a858} secure. In such a volatile and uncertain business environment, an in-depth understanding of the supply chain ecosystem and creating plans to increase organizational resilience to respond to any threats and disruptions quickly is critical to a business’s success.

What is Supply Chain Risk Management?

Supply chain risk management (SCRM) is a procedure that involves a series of strategic steps to identify, analyze and mitigate the risks in end-to-end supply chains.

The key to SCRM is analysis, interpretation, and management of all types of risk at all levels and tiers of supply chains and keeping a close eye on every risk object such as suppliers, ports, location, and more. A visionary approach to CRM, when integrated into the core operations of an enterprise, is a critical enabler to identify and mitigate risks in minimal time.

Types of Supply Chain Risks:

There are several types of supply chains, but they can be divided into two main categories: internal and external. 

External Supply Chain Risks: These risks come from outside of your organization, making it difficult for you to predict them. External supply chain management SCM risks are typically harder to eliminate and also require more resources to overcome them.

Demand Risks: Demand risk can occur when an organization miscalculates the demand for products and fails to understand the shift or change in buying behaviors.

Supply Risks: Supply Risks occur when the raw materials or the finished products that your business relies on aren’t delivered on time, eventually leading to the disruption of the flow of your services.

Geo-Political Risks: The disruption in supply chains due to global political events such as wars or revolutions can cause severe consequences for your supply chains.   

Natural Disaster Risk: The earthquake and tsunami in Japan broke a link in the global supply chain. Similarly, the current disruptions in supply chains by COVID-19 can also be classified as natural disaster risks.

Internal Supply Chain Risk: Internal supply chain risks involve factors and circumstances that are within your control but can cause significant crises. With the help of modern ERP software (Enterprise Resource Planning), robust analytics programs, and IoT powered solutions; internal risks can be anticipated and minimized but, to some degree, remain unavoidable.

Manufacturing Risk: Any disruption in your manufacturing operations that causes your production to go off-schedule can cause major problems in supply chain management.

Cyber Risks: Your business is always vulnerable to harm by issues that come from the technology that you use. This can be caused by malicious activity, data breaches, or due to poor practices by your staff.

Planning and Control Risks: Inaccurate forecasting of product demand, poor assessment and interpretation, and faulty product development and management can also cause a supply chain crisis.

Financial Risk: The possibility that you or your supplier may enter a situation that may threaten the financial health of your organization.

Tips To Mitigate Supply Risks

At Blink Global, we have experts on international sourcing and supply chain management. Here are a few tips to mitigate the risk and make your supply chains more resilient.

Identify Current Risks: Run a mock test to identify areas with high-risk vulnerability. Evaluate potential scenarios and provide training to staff and prepare them for times of crisis.  Conduct internal and external risk awareness training.

 Develop Mitigation Contingency Plans: Estimate the financial and reputational impact of possible disruptions and develop mitigation contingency plans that will help you reduce the impact of any disruptive event. It is also important for retailers to have a logistics contingency plan.

Diversify Suppliers: If we analyze things in retrospect, it seems that the dependency on a single country to fulfill the needs for raw materials or finalized products is the biggest mistake businesses have been making. As the quote goes, “don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” The spread of COVID-19 has certainly exposed vulnerabilities of all those organizations that relied on just one country to fulfill their supply. Create alternative supply continuity sources or secondary suppliers to ensure resilience in your supply chain network.

 Include Stakeholders in Risk Planning: Include all key stakeholders such as suppliers, logistics providers, and data management network and customer service representatives to ensure that everyone is on the same page at the time of crisis and knows what to do.  

 Consolidate Data and Ensure Easy Access: Data is the most valuable asset especially in times of crisis. In order to leverage the maximum power of data, make sure you have it organized in a single, centralized, and well-organized repository.

 Cargo Insurance:  Insurance not only gives you peace of mind but is also really effective in protecting in-transit shipments and protecting you against losses or damage in case of any natural disasters or human errors.

Secure Your Supply Chains With Blink Global:

At Blink Global, we have experts that have a deep understanding of global supply chains. We provide international sourcing and domestic sourcing services and help companies get the right raw material or finished products at the right cost. Contact us here for details.

 

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Sneeze Guards, Temperature Controls, and Waste Management – Food Safety Tips to Enhance Salad and Hot Food Bars

Salad and hot food bars are popular for one great reason – they prevent food from contamination and promote fresh and healthy foods that people like to eat. In buffets, people get the opportunity to choose their favorites from many options at a bar making it an exciting dining experience for them and also creating convenience for your operations. However, restaurant owners and staff must stay vigilant and must never lose sight of food safety. There is nothing more exciting than a fresh and beautiful food bar. They provide an engaging experience and generate good revenue for restaurant owners. In the time of COVID-19, restaurant owners must go the extra mile to ensure that food is safe from contamination and customers are safe from any infections. Here are five safety tips that restaurants can consider.

Temperature Monitoring:

Food is always prone to contamination. However, some foods as compared to others are more susceptible to host pathogens and become a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. TCS (temperature control for safety) foods that include milk, eggs and other dairy products require special attention and you must always keep a temperature check in salad bars and other self-service areas to maintain the following standards:
  •         41˚F or below for cold food
  •         135˚F or above for hot foods
 

Handle Food with Care:

Restaurants must take appropriate measures and follow best practices on food procurement. It must be noted that there are several food items that cannot be rewashed as doing so introduces food safety risks and also reduces the shelf life. Dispose of all food items that might have been cross-contaminated or weren’t properly checked for temperatures. Restaurants must devise a waste management plan to handle leftovers, typically in cooked products.

Minimize Cross-Contamination

Here are some tips to minimize cross-contamination.
  •         Never mix new and existing food
  •         Ensure individual serving tools for each item
  •         Communicate to customers to always use serving utensils
 

Install Sneeze Guards:

Sneeze guards are not something new and have been around us for decades. Sneeze guards were invented by Restaurateur and Inventor Johnny Garneau. The purpose of these protective barriers is to keep food safe and contaminant free. The sneeze guards have been endorsed for their effectiveness in creating a healthy restaurant experience and the FDA established the mandatory presence of food guards in all 50 states. Please click here to order Sneeze Guards or call us at 877-433-4466
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Sneeze Guards and Social Distancing: Sporting Leagues Take New Measures for Fans to Return to Stands

The lockdown restrictions are now beginning to be completely lifted and more and more industries are preparing to resume their business operations as we are now in the third and final phase of the reopening plan. There is no debate in saying that sports leagues were amongst the hardest hit businesses by COVID-19. As the virus began to spread, all games were called off and the seasons were also postponed. As we are slowly moving towards reopening, we might be able to watch our favorite games from the stands.  

With Safety Measures Still in Practice:

Health officials are warning to not get carried away as the threat has not been completely eliminated. The government and health agencies have rolled out SOPs for businesses to ensure the safety of customers and employees and non-compliance can result in legal repercussions. Face masks are mandatory for everyone, as businesses must comply with social distancing guidelines. Sneeze guards can be seen everywhere as they are effective in curbing person-to-person virus transmission. Waiters and restaurant staff are putting on protective see-through face shields and visors as PPE is being provided to essential workers.  

Watching Games from the Stands:

Fans are terribly missing the stadium experience matches without fan attendance also appear boring on the screen. League managements understand the blow on the fan experience and are looking for ways to resume a safe return to stands. However, the new stands might appear different from what we are used to. Managements will take several steps to ensure safety as massive gatherings can become a hub of COVID spread. Fans might return in a limited capacity before treatments and preventions for the coronavirus are created. The team management might also request fans to sign up for arrival time at a specific parking spot and then receive a predetermined path to walk to their gate. Upon passing through security checks, a guide or mascot will lead fans to their seats, separated from other guests. Team management will also place protective barriers and sneeze guards at their concession stands and bars. In order to enhance the experience fans might also be requested to submit advance information to understand whom they can sit near. To prevent the spread of the coronavirus via contaminated surfaces, AI solutions might be used that will allow fans to verbally request needs, rather than moving around and touching items. For now, fans will have to wait until proper SOPs are rolled out and health agencies give a go-ahead to team management. But we hope that fans will soon go back to stands without the risk of the virus. Please click here to order Sneeze Guards or call us at 877-433-4466
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Sneeze guards, face masks and no cafeteria lunches: How Schools Plan to Reopen

COVID-19 has certainly impacted the entire world’s education system. As soon as the lockdown was imposed and children were asked to stay home, schools rapidly changed the way they did their work. Some schools tried old-fashioned correspondence using written mail as a medium of interaction while other more advanced schools tried to recreate the “classroom environment” by using digital channels such as Zoom. Online tutoring and practice programs also became popular and there is no debate in saying that teachers responded heroically and did everything in their capacity to help the students and keep the learning system alive. However, one thing that we have learned from the pandemic is that eLearning is not as efficient and effective as “in-person” learning. Online instructors tend to focus on theory rather than practice and students, especially those under 16, are losing the habits that schools teach them. Students are missing their classmates, they are missing the basketball courts and they are missing everything about school. State governments and local county governments are closely monitoring the situation and are working with health agencies to come to a solution that ensures a safe return to schools. This includes installing sneeze guards in public reception areas and making face coverings essential for students, teachers, and other staff. Cafeterias will remain closed and libraries will not open for a couple of months to come.

Here are some other steps recommended by

health agencies for the safe reopening of schools

  •  Schools and other educational institutions must consider hiring doctors and additional nurses or certified health personnel to ensure immediate health support to students and lead quarantine protocol activities. Schools must provide training to teachers, students, and staff on how to practice health guidelines.
  • Students or staff members who are more vulnerable and have underlying health conditions must be supported and schools should consider providing them alternative options such as teleworking. Schools should also consider exploring extracurricular activities that engage students but do not put them at risk.
  • Ensure healthy hygienic practices by providing masks and hand sanitizers. Schools should increase handwashing stations and also keep an ample quantity of alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol.
  • Facemasks remain the most effective way to ensure personal protection. Individuals in schools must be mandated to wear face coverings both when they are indoors and outdoors. 6ft distance cannot be continuously maintained, so facemasks help in preventing infections.
It will be interesting to see how schools will cope up with the situation. Online classes will likely continue for a couple of more months but hopefully, we will eventually move back to traditional schooling. Please click here to order Sneeze Guards or call us at 877-433-4466
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Sneeze Guards, Face Shields, Masks, and Gloves: How Restaurants Are Cautiously Moving Towards the Reopening

After weeks and months of heavy restrictions, almost all states have allowed restaurants to resume their dine-in operations. However, health officials are still concerned about the matter as the casual reopening of restaurants can cause case numbers to spike up. This means that we still need to be careful and practice all guidelines provided by health care agencies.

Business Activities Resume

Business activities are resuming in the country. In other words, a significant restart to life has kicked in. Restaurants, shopping malls, salons, and many other businesses have started to reopen for customers. Factory workers have also been called for duty and corporate offices have also been allowed to reopen.

Safety Measures Still in Practice

The government has rolled out SOPs for businesses to ensure the safety of customers and employees and non-compliance can result in legal repercussions. Facemasks are mandatory for everyone, as businesses must comply with social distancing guidelines. Sneeze guards can be seen everywhere as they are effective in curbing person-to-person virus transmission. Waiters and restaurant staff are putting on protective see-through face shields and visors whereas PPE is being provided to essential workers. 

Guidelines for Sit-Down and Dine-in Restaurants

Here are some of the important guidelines for restaurants reopening
  • Salad bars and buffets must have sneeze guards
  • Bar areas inside restaurants are to remain closed
  • Cutlery, napkins, and cups must be thoroughly cleaned
  • Sterilize tables, chairs, and all frequently touched surfaces
  • Discard reusable paper menus or have disposable menus or post the menus online so that diners can view them on their phones
  • Make hand sanitizer readily available to guests

Restaurants going an extra mile to ensure Safety

Some of the restaurants are duly embracing the responsibility and have taken additional measures to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. Here are some of the additional steps.

Social Distancing Markings

Social distancing markings can now be seen everywhere. As per health officials, social distancing is the most effective way to contain the spread of the virus. Restaurants are redesigning their premises and reviewing their dine-in capacity to accommodate customers with ease and safety. Ground markings and digital-signage are being installed in the restaurants that will provide social distancing-guidance at waiting areas, reception, dining halls, and other common areas.

Drive-Thru Shield Sneeze Guard

The restaurant staff and operators on the drive-thru delivery counters are extremely vulnerable to exposure as they get in close proximity to hundreds of people on a daily basis. The best way to protect your staff is by installing a drive-thru sneeze guard. These transparent plastic sheets act as protective barriers and minimize the flow of respiratory droplets between customers and employees. A good thing about these barrier shields is that it discourages staff to lean down and come in physical contact with customers.

Protective Gear and Plexiglass Acrylic Sneeze Guards by Blink Brands

Blink Signs is manufacturing and supplying Protective Gear, Barrier Shields, and Plexiglass Acrylic Sneeze Guards all around the USA and Canada. Protect your employees and customers with our high-quality protective gear that meets all the standards set by health agencies. Please click here to order Sneeze Guards or call us at 877-433-4466
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Important: How to prevent Acrylic Solid Surfaces from damage?

Since acrylic Solid Surfaces are a non-traditional choice, caring for such material can be tricky. Be sure to follow these guidelines to help you prevent any permanent damage to your surfaces, protecting your investment. While they are heat resistant, as with all countertop materials, it is important to minimize direct heat exposure.

Heat Damage

Always use a heat protection pad or a trivet (with rubber feet), or leave cookware to cool first. Never put hot pans, particularly cast iron, directly on this countertop or its sink. Boiling water alone may damage your sink, however, it is a recommended practice to run cold water from the faucet while pouring boiling water into the sink to prevent boiling water damage. Always use the correct size pan on the burner and place it centrally. An overhanging pan scorches surrounding surfaces.

Chemical Spillage

Accidental spills of strong chemicals (e.g. paint stripper, brush cleaners, metal cleaners, oven cleaners, cleaners containing methylene chloride, acid drain cleaners, acetone-based nail varnish removers, etc.) should be flushed promptly with plenty of soapy water to avoid damaging this countertop. For nail varnish spills, non-acetone based remover can be used, and then flushed thoroughly with water. Undetected or prolonged exposure to chemicals may damage the surface permanently.

Scratches

Like all materials, acrylic solid surfaces will develop slight abrasion marks in normal daily use but be sure to never cut or chop on this countertop. Dark, heavily pigmented colors will show scratches, dust, and ordinary wear and tear more readily than lighter, textured colors. So be careful in selecting colors accordingly.

Cleaning & Maintenance

  • Although liquids cannot penetrate these surfaces, it is best to wipe up spills as they occur. Generally, a damp microfiber cloth used with a standard household kitchen spray should remove most stains. Always clean using a circular motion.
  • For most residues, all you need to clean these countertops is some warm soapy water, ammonia-based household cleaner, or a dedicated countertop cleaner. Please avoid window cleaners as they can leave a wax build-up that dulls the Granex surface.
  • A film will build up on countertops if water is left to dry on the surface. This film will dull the countertop surface, making the finish appear blotchy and uneven. To prevent film build-up, it is very important to wipe the countertop completely dry immediately after spills and cleaning.
  • Some colors of these surfaces may require more frequent cleaning to maintain a uniform finish. Darker colors tend to require more attention than lighter colors. Over time, even with proper care, your countertop will acquire sheen. Dark colors may show light scratches more readily. But rest assured — restoring your countertops to their original glory is an easy process.
  • Once or twice a week, but regularly, remove all the fat and oil residues of normal food preparation from the sink, using a detergent or a hard-surface cleaner. Use a spray with 3/4 of liquid household bleach and 1/4 water to spray the sink and leave a few hours or overnight. The exposure time should be limited to 16hrs. In the morning, rinse or clean with a damp cloth.

Trust us to source the best quality Acrylic Solid Surfaces for you from a well-known manufacturer all the way to the USA. Your dedicated procurement manager at BlinkGlobal will take care of your entire project end-to-end.

Request a quote or call us today!