Product Delays and the Global Supply Chain

We at Autside are profoundly grateful to all our early customers, Kickstarter backers, friends, family, and investors. We are also thrilled to be partnering with some amazing non-profits, and we are eager to get products to our customers so we can get meaningful contributions to these organizations.

However, we like all retailers right now have been beset by logistical challenges related to a significant backup in the global supply chain. This unfortunately has delayed delivery of our flagship Bags & Boards by a few months, as well as created backlogs with merch and other new products. For this, we are truly sorry, but we are facing something that is industry wide. Let us explain what is happening and our response.

Due to COVID, the global supply chain has backed up for a variety of reasons:

1. Manufacturing facilities have been shutdown at various times in various countries in response to the pandemic. This has created significant backlogs until production can resume. Currently, our manufacturing partner in Vietnam for Bags & Boards is closed by government order. We are hopeful production can resume within the next few weeks.
2. Because of the resulting reduction in goods, freight companies have limited the number of ships in operation and the number of containers being transported to try and maintain prices by limiting supply. This has now created a shortage of containers and available transport as production of goods comes back on line.
3. At the same time, COVID has impacted ports and the availability of longshoremen to receive and offload these goods. This has created a literal line of ships waiting to offload cargo at multiple ports (in the last weeks, there were 28 container ships at anchor waiting to be offloaded at the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach).
4. The impact extends beyond finished goods to parts and materials used to manufacture finished products in the US (for example, much of our merchandise).

To mitigate these delays outside of our control, we are focusing on moving forward products we know we can deliver right now. We have launched with Pickleball products, manufactured in Niles, Michigan, that we have in stock and are ready for delivery immediately. We have also shored up relationships and merch orders with our manufacturing partners here in the US.

We want to emphasize that we are always seeking the best manufacturing relationships that align with our values and overall product brief. Our partner in Vietnam is a proven outfit that has produced top-of-the-line furniture and other products for years, but of course neither of us has control over government mandated shutdowns. We are also developing other smaller run products produced in the U.S. we can take to market very soon (stay tuned).

We want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we adjust to the current conditions and seek to get you the best products to help you, your family, and your friends Get Outside and experience the healing power of play.

We will continue to keep you updated. Should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email hello@getautside.com and we’ll get back to you within one business day.