I think its time for a turbo kit update...
The plan before moving was to have everything in place to send out the next batch of turbos out by 5/15 which would have gotten me to 95% of filling back orders. Knowing the time line of some things directed when I proceeded with certain productions of the kit. The move I knew would cause me some headaches but there wasn't much I could do, the move had to happen. What I did NOT plan for is that a freaking literal pandemic would happen the EXACT same week I was trying to move. Everything went to hell.
Its been six weeks now since the move and in that time I've now had three vendors completely shut down their businesses permanently. A few of the remaining vendors have eliminated all staff and running the business solo. Going from 15 employees to zero MIGHT have an affect on production. Now lets add to all that with the fact that a mother-f'ing tornado destroyed one of BorgWarner's warehouses in South Carolina. It was confirmed today finally that the turbo I use was directly impacted. They are currently in the middle of inspecting, repackaging and moving all of their inventory.
There are 75 components (105 pieces in total) that comprise the turbo kit. Of those there are a few pieces that are hindering the remaining turbos from being shipped:
• J-pipes- These are all cut and bent and in various stages of welding. Due to the virus the pipe shop has a skeleton crew that is focused on COVID related contracts so my stuff has to wait til they are done with emergency COVID jobs
• Nameplate- These get welded onto the J-pipe but totally not necessary to have a working turbo. But since I already had these in process I wanted them done. Issue was my usual shop closed their doors. Found a new shop 2000 miles away that had some free time to work these in and I jumped on it. They are done and in transit to the pipe shop for eventual welding
• A/C bracket- these were also in production and were cut but not bent nor had the hardware been pressed in. This was with my usual shop which closed and moved to new shop. This is done and on its way to powder coat.
• Downpipes- these are 95% done but the last thing waiting is the lower V-band fitting. The shop that makes them has a long delay to supply until the lockdown is lifted. The pipe shop suggested a different manufacturer for the V-bands (Vibrant) but I am 100% against that because then it means there are major differences that would be out in production and it would make securing replacement parts a nightmare. Sorry, I'm not doing that to myself nor to an eventual customer with a mythical problem 5 years from now.
• Downpipe clamp bracket- these were also with my old shop. Moved to new shop and should be ready in two weeks,
• Turbo and downpipe blankets- PTP got the orders from their local Austin city gov't to close so all orders all on hold for the time being. Of course I'm on that list.
• Aluminum Intake Tubes- two of the three pieces are done but the third, they one with the vent tube requiring welding, is not done and won't be until things start up again.
• Denso spark plugs- these are just generally delayed coming from Japan. Everything I've needed coming from Japan has now been taking on average 3x as long
• Oil hoses- I had planned to have these shipped to me for my 5/15 deadline. I should have ordered them earlier apparently. Although this shop is located in Los Angeles County, they were able to stay open no problem since they are considered essential. Unfortunately they have been 100% focused on emergency COVID projects since they make MANY hoses used for emergency vehicles and hospital maintenance. They have told me they will do what they can to help with warranty issues as needed but all of my orders have to wait until things slow down.
That is where I am JUST on turbo kits folks. That is everything I know. What I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT KNOW is when I can ship out kits. I honestly have no idea but I am absolutely killing myself trying to figure out ways to make it happen WHILE still getting other products out the door. I wish this pandemic didn't happen, ok I know we ALL wish it didn't happen. But I'm trying to do my best.
Since the pandemic started I had three folks cancel their turbo order. All three had lost their jobs. I can't blame them at all and I totally get their need to get as much money together as they possibly can. But in doing so it brings me closer to the brink of disaster myself. Three refunds was enough to burn through my reserves so I need to be very careful with my next steps. Some items I will be waiting until the last possible second to order so that I am sitting on tens of thousands of dollars of inventory to just sit until this pandemic slows down and things get back to normal. But they will.
Please, those that are REALLY pissed off at me for not delivering your kit, I'm sorry. I didn't plan for this. No one did apparently