Planning and Strategizing

Good Afternoon,

I realize it’s Sunday and usually a day to relax, but circumstances dictate otherwise. I hope that all our recent emails are not clogging your inboxes or becoming annoying in any way. We are trying our best to be informative and proactive, as well as sensitive to today’s situation.

We keep saying that these are unprecedented times. Well, they really are. And during times like these, both the best and the worst in humans tend to rise to the surface. We at Hilldun are doing everything possible to be the best we can be under the trying circumstances. From the responses and correspondences we are getting from everyone in the Hilldun universe, you are all meeting the challenges as well.

I’m sure you are not just concerned about health issues today, but also about your businesses and your financial welfare. We are here to help as much as possible. We realize that when this is over, and it will be over at some point, there will have been significant damage done to all of our enterprises. We will work with each and every one of you as you develop plans to manage cash flow and to move forward. This incredible disruption in business is affecting every single aspect of our professional and personal lives. We understand this acutely. The reality though is that life will go on, just as it has after every global upheaval or War. And we must keep that moment in the forefront of our thoughts.

Our intent at Hilldun will be to consider all reasonable options that you propose so we can continue to support your businesses and be both prudent and diligent in the process. You can count on us to be there to help you, but you must do your part simultaneously. Be prepared. Do your homework. Be realistic and conservative when you do your financial planning for the months ahead. As for us, we will be honest and forthcoming with advice and suggestions. We may not be able to say yes to every request, but we will take every one seriously and thoughtfully. That you can be assured of.

Now is the time to assess what the future will look like when the shipping windows open up again. Start formulating cash flows that we can review with you. These are things you and your accountants or financial advisors should prepare. Most of you do this already as a matter of course. But particularly now, the more ready you are, the faster we can all regain a sense of stability and future opportunity, and the faster we can determine what we are able to do to help.

There are so many lessons to be learned from this, and we’ll have many years to discuss them and evaluate them. Surely, our world will be changed forever. The apparel industry’s focus will definitely be altered. Supply chain considerations, seasonal cadences, how we show and sell, relationships with retailers, and the industry’s vulnerabilities and strengths, will all need to be rethought. But right now you need to be smart and hopeful, sensible and cautious, and strategize for the future of your individual businesses, even under these worst of circumstances. The cream rises to the top. I’m confident that over Hilldun’s 60 + years in business, we’ve cultivated the highest level of client in all of you.

Stay safe and healthy,

Gary, Cris and Josh and all of us at Hilldun