Changes to Fulfillment to Cut Times, Save Costs

As previously noted, Van’s Aircraft has undergone its first series of post-Chapter 11 changes, announcing a few policy updates that aim to streamline the order process, transparently handle customer funds, and make sufficient profit off every kit sold.

The big news is a 32% price increase across the board, with very few exceptions. Van’s says the changes are “significant” but “necessary”, adding that “even with these changes Van’s continues to be the value and performance leader in light aircraft manufacturing.”

New handling systems will see customers put forth a deposit equal to 35% of their order amount for any kit, engine, or propeller. Those funds will be placed into a Customer Deposit Account until the products are sourced, manufactured, or assembled. Once ready, customers will see a notice of production commencement, when their funds will be moved into Van’s operating funds. Customers won’t have too long to pay the remaining balance: “Approximately 60 days before we crate your kit, we will contact you to let you know that you are within our “Kit Crating Window” and you will be given 14 days to submit the remaining balance due for your order”.

Finally, and perhaps most interestingly, Van’s has taken a hatchet to the wide spectrum of options that customers could once select. With so many models and packages, options and products, Van’s had simply inherited a grossly inefficient system from its early days of hobbyist operations. “Historically”, the company said, “Van’s allowed customers to make numerous additions, deletions, modifications, and customizations to each kit order (whether a standard or quick build kit). This led to a substantial variance in the number of kits that could be picked, crated, and shipped per day, which ultimately impacted our purchasing, planning, costs and revenue.”

That does not mean that options are off the table, though. Van’s will simply streamline them to minimize the amount of dilly-dallying that products spend in the shipping bay. Individual parts, additions, or extras can still be purchased a la carte via Van’s web store.

FMI: www.vansaircraft.com