March 25, 2020 

Subject: COVID-19 Executive Order and War Powers Act 

To Our Valued Supplier, 

Combined Metals of Chicago LLC (CMC) and Elgiloy Specialty Metals (ESM) continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. 

CMC/Elgiloy will continue to operate within the guidelines of the War Powers Act. We operate several divisions as part of the “Critical Manufacturers Sector”. We supply materials to the medical, defense, transportation, oil and gas, and agricultural industry. For more information, please visit https://www.cisa.gov/critical-infrastructure-sectors. 

We value you as a supplier and we will work hard to provide you with adequate notification for supplies we require. Like you, we do not want disruption to the supply chain vital to our nations most critical sectors in dealing with this virus. 

We have taken additional precautions to protect our employees including social distancing and thorough multiple daily cleaning operations. We take this pandemic very seriously. At this time and equally important is our ability to provide and deliver critical materials to all our customers. 

If you have any questions regarding CMC/Elgiloy, please contact your purchasing representative. They will ensure you get answers quickly. In closing, I wish the best to you, your families, and your employees. 

Respectfully, 

Jim Darrow 

President 

CMC/Elgiloy 

Americans come together in times of crisis. We each need to do our part to keep ourselves and others safe.  We can make a difference even though we’re at a distance.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has forced Americans to Social Distance or Shelter in Place.  Finding ways to stay 6 feet apart in grocery stores and pharmacies can be challenging.  We’ve compiled some stores and businesses that deliver as well as services that stream online to help you keep your social distance.

While you use the list below to help make distancing easier, let’s remember others that may need help. Communities must come together in times of crisis. If we each help one person, we have made a big difference. We can remain safe and at a distance while helping those in need.  Americans come together in times of crisis. We each need to do our part to keep ourselves and others safe.  We can make a difference in outcomes for ourselves and others even though we’re at a distance.

• Donate to charities, churches, food banks, and other organizations working to help your community.
• Order take-out or buy a gift card from your favorite store or restaurant.
• The elderly may not be tech-savvy. They may not know they can get groceries and prescriptions delivered.  Check on them and offer help if you can.

Here are some tips to help you avoid crowds and public places and still get everything you need.  This post is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended to endorse any particular brand.

GROCERIES:

Many national brands and local stores deliver.  On the East Coast, Peapod https://www.peapod.com/ and Prime Now https://primenow.amazon.com/, are popular online portals for grocery delivery.  Both apps can be downloaded through the App Store for the iPhone or Google Play for Android. You prepay by credit or debit card. Groceries are left on your porch/doorstep. There does not need to be *direct contact with the delivery person if you prepay.

You may want to enable “ok to substitute” if you don’t have brand preferences. Delivery charges usually apply and some services offer tipping options which can reduce face-to-face contact with the delivery person. Many services allow you to submit product coupons for discounts.

*See CDC guidelines for surface cleaning of all surfaces/products you come in contact with which may include grocery items

• Here’s a link to several grocery delivery options. Check your local stores for delivery options and ordering apps available on the App Store or Google Play: https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/grocery-store-delivery-options
• Instacart:  instacart.com
• Hellofresh.comor www.blueapron.com are two services which deliver pre-measured boxes of easy-to-cook meals with recipe instructions. I don’t use these services but friends have praised both with Hello Fresh as the hands-down favorite.

PHARMACIES:

Online pharmacy ordering and delivery is available and expanded in many areas in the past 30 days.  Ask for 90-day supplies of your prescription meds when possible. Many currently offer delivery of your prescription along with non-prescription store items.  *See CDC guidelines for surface cleaning of all surfaces/products you come in contact with including pharmacy items. The corona virus lives on various surfaces for extended periods. It may be recommended you sanitize pharmacy products & packaging.

• Here’s a link to a blog post that lists several pharmacies that deliver: https://pocketsense.com/38579-list-recommended-online-pharmacies-deliver.html

TAKE-OUT:

Many restaurants are offering delivery service or curbside pickup.  Check with your favorites.  Many that did not traditionally offer delivery are now providing delivery or curbside pickup because of the mandatory closures.  If your area does not offer many restaurants that deliver, there are options like Uber Eats and DoorDash®.  Both are third party delivery services that pick up and deliver restaurant take-out directly to you. The apps can be found on the App Store for iPhone or via Google Play for Androids. Prepay via credit card and include tips in payment when possible to *minimize face-to-face contact. *Use CDC guidelines for sanitizing surfaces of various types of packaging.

• Uber Eats Discount: ubereats.com Discount Coupon: https://coupons.thedailybeast.com/coupons/ubereats
• DoorDash®: https://www.doordash.com/Discount Coupon: https://www.retailmenot.com/offer/7755RLWYUFEO5EFC6PMNGKKYAY/

GYMS:

Exercise can be a challenge if you are used to going to a gym. Some people live in areas where they can walk, run, or bike outside safely.  If you are ‘shelter in place’ with no outdoor activities allowed, it’s more challenging. There are many online downloadable exercise videos. I subscribe to the Yoga Channel. Many are free and some have a fee.  Remember, if you don’t already exercise you’ll want to discuss it with your doctor before starting.

• https://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/10-best-workout-videos-youtube
• https://www.doyogawithme.com/

GAMES ONLINE:

There are hundreds of online game streaming services that can keep kids and adults entertained.

• Fossguru.com/cloud-gaming-services-streaming-video/
• Breakout the Scrabble or Monopoly game!

ALMOST ANYTHING ELSE:

And lastly, Amazon is a source for countless products. If you choose the paid version called “Amazon Prime” you get free delivery on many items. You can buy groceries, housewares, personal items, and access to Prime TV. They also offer Audible, an audiobook service for those that prefer to listen to their favorite books.  Lead times have been temporarily pushed out but, we’ve found items are arriving much sooner than the committed ship date.

• amazon.com

ONLINE VIDEO CONFERENCING:

Stay connected with friends and family for free.  Use Zoom.com or other online services to video chat with friends and family. Video chats are free for up to 40 minutes per call. Use the ‘gallery’ function to see everyone on the call in one view.

• Zoom.com

*CDC:

The link to the CDC website for additional information. The information changes and evolves daily. Check back to this link regularly for updates.

* https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

We hope these tips and links help you to social distance in this difficult and challenging time.

To Our Valued Customers;

As the novel COVID-19 virus continues to impact everyone’s lives, the CMC family is taking unprecedented measures to help control its spread. We have implemented very specific procedures for cleaning office spaces and common areas, machine controls, lunchrooms and bathrooms. Our janitorial agency is in daily contact with our Safety Director on their recommendations for further curtailment. At this time, we have suspended all travel and walk-in traffic. Visitors, who meet the requirements of our questionnaire and who have been approved by the divisional manager, are still permitted entry. We have established teleconferencing for sales, management and others as needed to ensure no delays in customer service or business continuity. 

We have implemented a work from home policy to reduce contact with others. We have specific procedures in place in the event that an employee has symptoms or tests positive for the virus. We take our employees’ health very seriously and we are sparing no cost in dealing with this pandemic. 

Our Suppliers:  CMC purchases the majority of its raw material from domestic suppliers. At this time, they are reporting no issues with supply. Some elements that make up the chemistry of the different grades are purchased from around the world. They are reporting they have adequate supply through September and do not anticipate a shortage.

Finished Goods: For the foreseeable future we have increased our stocking levels to deal with any impacts from suppliers, labor or an increase in demand. 

Transportation: We are working closely with our freight forwarders to ensure we have uninterrupted service. We will continue to monitor this closely. Transportation is one area of concern and may lead to delays and higher rates.

Labor Force:  CMC has five divisions most with overlapping capabilities. There has been well-defined cross training to ensure business continuity in the event of a natural disaster or in this case a pandemic. We will move material or personnel around as needed to maintain operations. 

CMC is committed to its employees, stakeholders and most importantly our customers. Of utmost importance to us is you and your family. We are all deeply concerned about the current state of the pandemic. It affects lives in so many ways, but with us all working together we will get through this and be stronger for it.

As new information becomes available, we will update you through email, direct calling and social media.

Respectfully,

Jim Darrow 

President CMC/Elgiloy