Clearview National April 2015 - Issue 161 | Page 40

DOORS&WINDOWS

Through the Key Hole
at Origin HQ
»»The demand for bifolding doors in British homes
continues to grow, resulting
in an increase in suppliers and
consumer choice, quality and
competitive offerings available.
Origin, a manufacturer of
bespoke aluminium bi-fold doors,
windows and made-to-measure
blinds, holds a 100% delivery
success rate on its unique zero
lead time service. Clearview
went behind the doors of its
UK headquarters to find out
how the company manages its
supply chain to keep ahead of the
game.
Origin HQ in
Buckinghamshire
Origin runs a first class supply
chain, with high quality linkage
from aluminium source and
creation of the bi-fold doors
and windows, to the method of
reaching the consumer.
Over the last 13 years, Origin
has become the leading UK
manufacturer of aluminium
bi-fold doors. Neil Ginger, CEO
of Origin, and his team designed
the Origin Bi-fold Door from
scratch, ensuring even the smallest
details are carefully considered to
guarantee a precision engineered
system. In 2014, the company
extended its operations to offer
the Origin Window, a premium

quality aluminium flush casement
window.
As a British manufacturer,
Origin maintains direct control
over quality. Unlike other
manufacturers, it doesn’t allow
any external fabrication of its
door or window system. The
products go out completely
finished and ready to install.
Origin is therefore able to
guarantee faultless performance
for at least 20 years.
Quality from
the Start
Origin source its aluminium
directly from a handful of key
suppliers. While there are many
different grades of aluminium,
Origin’s system is superior in the
way the profile is made, using
only prime billets. This high
grade finish can be spotted on
the surface of all its products perfectly smooth and consistent.
Flow Line Process
The 18,000 sq ft x 40,000
sq ft factory runs a flow line
manufacturing process. Each
worker has a defined role,
carrying out tasks repeatedly
as the product moves between
stations, like a conveyor belt.
Each task has an allotted time,
so Origin knows how long a
task takes at each station, and

40 » A PR 2015 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M

how long a set of doors takes to
manufacture. A bespoke traffic
light system with live production
flow screens visible throughout
the site keeps every member of
staff aware of production levels
and delivery dates.
The business can manufacture
a bespoke set of bi-fold doors
within 22 minutes; unaffected by
fluctuations in order numbers.
Origin now manufactures 1.5
times more doors than it did
prior to the flow-line production
system being introduced.
Your Lead Time,
Not Ours
Origin has re-written the
rules of manufacturing to offer a
bespoke product with zero lead
time. It is the only manufacturer
in the world to offer this service
on a personalised product.
Origin’s ‘Your Lead Time, Not
Ours’ (YLTNO) promise delivers
high quality bespoke doors
quicker and more efficiently than
anyone else in the market. In
an industry where standard lead
times are 6-8 weeks, Origin can
deliver its bi-fold door in just 24
hours. Origin hopes to match this
promise on its window system
and has already reduced the lead
time on the Origin Window to
just one week; a record within the
glass and glazing industry.

Neil Ginger CEO

Trade Partners
A supply chain is only as strong
as its links. Origin’s relationship
with its trade partners is key. It
has established over 330 trade
partnerships, with 100 of these
displaying Origin products.
Origin runs ‘Fitter Fitter’ product
training days for trade agents
to maintain high service levels,
share product knowledge and best
practice. As a result, Origin has
seen a 23% reduction in technical
installation queries.
Origin’s expertise and
innovation has seen its products
become not only a number one
choice for UK homeowners, but
also for numerous commercial
and non-commercial projects in
Europe, United Arab Emirates
and North America.
www.origin-global.com