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Area businesses are having different reactions to the national UPS strike.
Bart's Water Sports, North Webster, is one of the country's largest mail order suppliers of water ski equipment. They send out a worldwide catalogue, then ship equipment directly to called-in orders.
According to Mark Whealy, warehouse manager at Bart's, the company usually does business with UPS, DHL and Federal Express.
"The strike hasn't affected us much," Whealy said. "We've been getting our merchandise out."
Bart's has transferred its shipments to DHL, FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service.
Even though the UPS strike has not stopped Bart's from shipping, Whealy says some people may not be ordering from the catalogues for fear Bart's will not be able to mail merchandise. But service is going on as usual.
However, Kosciusko Community Hospital is seeing a negative effect from no UPS service.
According to Caroline Arter of KCH, the hospital is receiving only one or two packages a day, compared to 40-45 packages they usually receive.
"Packages are not coming as quickly through alternative (carriers)," she said.
So far, Arter said, KCH has not had too much trouble. She said they have enough of the supplies that take the longest to get stored up to last. Some suppliers have their own trucks, and Arter said that has helped KCH.
She said they are getting most of their packages through the U.S. Postal Service. However, FedEx, Print Express and several other carriers are delivering packages to KCH.
At DePuy, the Warsaw orthopedic company, packages are still going in and out. Dennis Ducey said the company is evaluating its situation on a daily basis.
"It has affected us, but we are doing what we can and using our own people to satisfy customers," said Ducey.
He also said that DePuy is relying on the other package carriers they have used. Ducey said they have not experienced a drop in orders, but he says, "People are cautiously aware of the situation."
Brad Bishop, of corporate communications for Zimmer, another leading area orthopedic company , said Zimmer has experienced some inconveniences in distribution.
"We are a priority customer of UPS, and we have a contingency plan in place that is working," said Bishop. "Our product shipments are reaching our customers."
The Mail and Package Mart in Warsaw specializes in mailing packages UPS and FedEx. They have had to limit their shipping since FedEx has limited the number of drop-offs allowed to a business.
Employees of the Mart are warning customers that FedEx is more expensive than other services. If the package does not have to arrive right away, the Mart is recommending people use the U.S. Postal Service.
