HP to use multiple ports in 'worst-case scenario' Brexit plan - channel boss Sawyer
Neil Sawyer says vendor will not be taking on additional warehousing space
HP is planning to use a number of ports to avoid the expected congestion at the main harbours in the event of a no-deal Brexit, according to channel boss Neil Sawyer.
Speaking to CRN at last week's Bett show - ahead of this week's crucial Brexit amendments vote - Sawyer outlined the vendor's strategy, stating that it has always planned for a "worst-case scenario".
"We are looking at a number of different ports," he stated.
"I'm sure it will change over the coming weeks as events unfold, so I don't have names of specific ports. But we are absolutely sure that we have a robust supply chain."
The channel boss said that UK&I partners have been briefed about its plans, and that it has been investigating logistical challenges to ensure it can supply and support the channel.
"From a global supply chain perspective, HP has made sure that we can give continuity of supply into our channel partners," he said.
"That comes through buying extra capacity in the supply chain so shipments can be made more readily."
Sawyer added that the most important thing for the vendor was to ensure that there was a sufficient supply of kit in the UK to cover all cases, including the public sector's end of year, which coincides with the planned Brexit date of 29 March.
Last week, SonicWall revealed that it was stockpiling kit through a new warehouse that Exertis had set up.
HP would not follow a similar plan, according to Sawyer, instead opting to use the capacity of its own warehouses and those of its distributors Westcoast, Tech Data and Ingram Micro.
The vendor will also continue to fly in stock, but Sawyer added that it would not be increasing the number of flights or products flown in should Brexit happen.
"We fly a lot of product in anyway, because a lot of our build-to-order product has short production times from order through to delivery," he explained.
"It's a case of continuing that and utilising those channels and routes. It is not specific to any particular airport - we can use any airport that has a logistical hub associated with it.
"Our job is to be aware of the issues around delays and plan to avoid it.
"There are plenty of solutions if you have done the planning, but if you haven't done that, it's getting very late in the day to do so.
"We're proud of what we have achieved and that we have a continuity of supply and support for the UK."
Partners' plan B-rexit
Meanwhile, HP partner Probrand - ranked 89th in CRN's Top VARs 2018 - announced its strategy in the event of Brexit.
The Birmingham-based VAR outlined its contingency plans in the "unlikely event of a no-deal Brexit".
These include auditing its supply chain to mitigate any impact from Brexit, working with advisers to model every possible outcome of Brexit, and its distributors ordering additional stock of key product lines into the UK.
It added that some of its distributors were investigating the benefits of applying for Authorised Economic Operator customs status, an international standard which would reduce customs checks at UK ports.
The VAR - which counts Dell EMC, Citrix and SonicWall among its other vendor partners - added that its distributors have confirmed that stock currently held in European hubs will be moved to the UK.
"We are confident that Brexit is not going to have a negative effect on Probrand as a reseller and solutions provider and in turn we will be able to support our customers in the same way," said Ian Nethercot, supply chain director.
"The business is now in a very strong position to maintain supply from its suppliers to customers, within its reasonable control and dictated to by local geopolitical situations and repercussions of Brexit in all its forms."
Matt Franklin, CEO of Roc Technologies, told CRN his firm had also made a high-level plan for Brexit.
"The projects we work on have critical milestones, so it's just about mitigating those risks," he said.
However, Phil Race, CEO of Adept Technology, said it is "not number one on my board agenda".
"I think people are overegging some of the challenges and creating FUD in the marketplace," he said.