Emplas has extended its digital order tracking system to include its dispatch and delivery operation, in addition to the manufacturing process, supporting Emplas customers in more efficient planning and in meeting requirements under CE Marking.
Using a bar-code based dispatch process, the individual elements of each order are automatically checked as they are prepared in the loading bays. They are then re-scanned onto the lorry, eliminating the shipping of incomplete orders.
At the other end of the process each product is scanned off the lorry, which doesn’t leave for the next delivery until all products and ancillaries are accounted for.
The paperless system then automatically issues a notification of receipt to the customer and the invoice, providing a clear audit trail, which supports their customers evidence their ‘factory management systems’ required under CE Marking.
Kush Patel, Operations Director, Emplas said: “It delivers absolute transparency to all elements of production and delivery of orders. Our customers can order 24/7 and they can track the progress of product against their order to delivery. The system even automatically alerts customers how far away their order is by text just before it’s delivered.
“But what it also drives is service and a higher rate for On Time and in Full Delivery (OTIF) and that’s clearly very important for our customers. Trucks just don’t go unless each individual element of each order is fully accounted for. At the other end, it doesn’t leave until the same result.”
Emplas introduced a bar code system to its manufacturing process in 2013. Integrated with its Window and Door Designer tools, it allows customers to create and place orders online but also to track their progress through Emplas’ state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
This service was expanded for those installers also buying in glass in autumn last year after Emplas established a new interface with Pilkington’s factory management system, also allowing customers to track IGU orders.
As part of its new and expanded system each product is also inspected at the point at which it’s offloaded. On the rare occasion that any damage has occurred in transit, the product is scanned by the driver, the damaged part is photographed and its replacement is automatically generated in the factory production schedule.
“The whole work-flow is fully integrated and because we can check or access any orders at any time, the manufacturing process becomes seamless. That makes us more efficient and flexible, and gives benefits that we can directly pass onto our customers”, continued Kush.
He continued: “Exactly the same principle applies to dispatch and delivery. We have full visibility against each order, we know that it’s right when it leaves the factory and we know it’s right when it’s unloaded at the other end. The benefits that that delivers to our customers in potential time saved is immeasurable – they know that they can get on and do the job.”
Emplas’ complete and on-time deliveries currently run at 99.3% compared to an 84.6% industry average. It also has a product quality rating of good or excellent by 98.7% of its customers compared to an industry average of 79.2%.
To find out more follow us on twitter @emplaswindows. For more information visit www.emplas.co.uk, email [email protected] or call 01933 674880
