March 23, 2020

 

RE: Essential Infrastructure

Numerous state governments have issued statewide "Shelter-in-Place" orders, and others are likely to follow in the coming days. The orders generally command all residents to stay in their homes and to leave only for essential trips like the grocery store or pharmacy unless they are needed for essential infrastructure. Many states have adopted the list of the 16 Critical Infrastructure sectors available at https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19. The essential infrastructure definition includes workers in the following category:

CRITICAL MANUFACTURING

  • Workers necessary for the manufacturing of materials and products needed for medical supply chains, transportation, energy, communications, food and agriculture, chemical manufacturing, nuclear facilities, the operation of dams, water and wastewater treatment, emergency services, and the defense industrial base.

We at Preformed Line Products fall within this definition of "essential or critical infrastructure" as we manufacture goods necessary for the continued and immediate operation of other essential infrastructure and businesses for the energy and communications market, with our customer base including all utilities and communication service providers. In fact, we are the only full line helical supplier located in the US. Our products specifically protect and support the transmission and distribution of electric power and fiber optic communication lines. Furthermore, our products are essential for our customers to keep their grids and communication networks (both wired and wireless) operating effectively, as well as our products support critical networks for the local, state and federal government as well as the military. If our products are not produced, it is possible certain power lines may not be repaired in case of failure. In the case of natural disasters (e.g., tornadoes, hurricanes, floods), our products are required to be delivered to our customers as quickly as possible in order to restore these critical services to the American people. Additionally, attached are letters from our customers, stating that they also view us as essential.

As such, will remain open during this time. By extension, companies that provide goods and services to Preformed Line Products are expected to remain open and provide these essential goods and services.

 

Rob Ruhlman
Chairman, President and CEO

 

Click to download the statement