Coronavirus delaying iWorld Australia shipments

iWorld Australia is telling its customers to place product orders as soon as possible to ensure on-time delivery, as the impact of the coronavirus outbreak takes its hold on shipments imported from affected countries, including China and the surrounding region.

Established in 2006, iWorld Australia is a supplier of digital lifestyle and Appcessory based products, STEAM education and Internet of Things products in both Australia and New Zealand. It is also an approved member of the Australian Toy Association (ATA), as well as an Approved Apple Partner – supplying goods directly to Apple Retail and Apple on-line.

The company has become as a trusted quality distributor in the sectors of IT channel servicing the major national retailers, national Telecommunications stores, Pharmacies, Sporting, Education, Apple Resellers and Apple Australia (Retail and Online). It opened its iWorld Hong Kong facility in January 2015.

Over the last month, iWorld Australia says it has been monitoring the COVID-19 virus closely to determine its impact on customers.

"As we import most of our product from China and surrounds which, unfortunately, have been hit the hardest by the virus, many of our suppliers are affected," says Aldrin DeClase, director at iWorld Australia.

"We have been notified that they are still not able to open their offices and manufacturing facilities or are just returning from extended Lunar New Year breaks. Those that have opened are having difficulty staffing their premises due to travel restrictions that have been put in place by the China government."

DeClase says the situation does vary from supplier to supplier, however, the company has been given a lead time of up to two to three months of delays in shipments from affected countries.

"We have some shipments currently in transit from other countries and additional brands coming in," he says.

"We are recommending that our customers place orders as soon as possible to ensure that iWorld is able to meet our customer requirements over the next few months. Placing your orders will ensure on-time delivery once the stock is available," DeClase says.

DeClase says it is important to start looking at stock for the Christmas and the busy selling period, as it is important to understand that factories will be at full capacity when the eventually get back and up to full production manufacturing.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and keep up to date on any further interruptions to our fulfilment of stock," he adds.