Called To The Bar As Lockdown Loosens

Doorco upgraded its bar code system just as the compnay, like the country, went into lockdown.

Two more door manufacturing companies are going back to work to fulfil orders - one in particular will be looking forward to getting to grips with a new bar coding system introduced as the country went into lockdown.

Doorco returned to work in the week commencing 4 May with a skeleton team. Hurst Doors has also committed to a return with a skeleton crew as of Monday 11 May.

Both organisations will deploy Safe Working Practices which enables them to function in a way that is safe for their teams, customers and suppliers.

 

 “Providing a safe working environment for the DOORCO team is the main focus at this time and the team has been implementing these changes that will be in place for the foreseeable future.”

– Dan Sullivan 

MD, Doorco

 

Working to industry advice

"We have taken information from government guidance, industry practices and shared advice between customers and suppliers which has been a great assistance in shaping Doorco’s new working practices," continues Sullivan, "Some of the new Safe Working Practices include social distancing measures from entrance and throughout the premises, reduced head count in the office, daily temperature checks for all staff, daily health check questionnaire, increased levels of PPE issued including gloves/visors and hourly work station clean down, to mention just a few. This week has provided us with a unique opportunity to work in our new environment without volume pressures to consider."

 

Hurst

A statement on the Hurst Doors website reads: "We can now confirm that the business will be re-opening with a skeleton team on 11 May 2020 with a view to handling orders, queries and enquiries. It is intended that deliveries and production may not start until week commencing Monday 18 May.

'Revised working procedures, inline with government guidelines, will be in operation thoughout the business to safeguard our staff and supply chain.'

 

 

As demand increases

A Doorco statement confirms: 'As the demand increases, we will increase the team numbers in line with customer requirements. We will be continually reviewing our working practices as we move forward. We will be taking into consideration any updated guidance given by the government and keeping open lines of communication with our customers and suppliers as everyone adapts to the new normal.'

The statement adds: 'Doorco has continued to receive container deliveries during the lockdown period, so needless to our stock position is extremely strong across door blanks, cassettes and glass.'

 

 

Integrated bar coding

“Using barcodes in manufacturing is nothing new but using a customer’s barcode in our facility is a revolutionary upgrade, delivering seamless integration between IT systems to increase speed and reduce delivery failure,” said Ben Aspinall, IT & Marketing Manager at Doorco just before the company went into full lockdown so hardly anyone has got to use it.

“We have been trialling this project with customers, linking to their own internal manufacturing IT systems to produce the customer’s own unique barcodes. This basically means that when an order is received via electronic ordering, our system produces a customer specific barcode. It is applied to the packaging for manufacturing orders or to the slabs for distribution orders. Once the order arrives in the customer’s facility, it’s simply scanned-in at goods in and moves on through manufacturing, or if pre-prepped by Doorco, on to join the rest of the customers’ order.

 

Upgrade to ordering

The project has also resulted in various upgrades to the Doorco ordering system. Continues Aspinall: "Moving away from the traditional boundaries of ‘distribution’ and ‘manufacturing’, our service has evolved into delivering a mix – for example, we support distribution-only customers with colour, painting single doors or pallet loads and matching cassettes to order.  We also support with prepping – one-off’s or volume management – and glass and glazing supply, whether that is packaged up glass and glazing cassettes or glazing the doors for them, again assisting with volume, or more complex/bespoke orders."

 

 “The key to all of this is stock. Doorco invests in and manages stock effectively to ensure we have what our customers need, available and ready when they need it. Customers now have the confidence to reduce their own stockholding and rely on Doorco for the complete and seamless supply of everything they need for their composite doors.

– Ben Aspinall 

Marketing Manager, Doorco

 

Picture: Doorco upgraded its bar code system just as the compnay, like the country, went into lockdown.

www.door-co.com

www.hurstdoors.co.uk

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
04th May 2020

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