24
MARCH 2015 PRO INSTALLER
PRO ALUMINIUM
www.proinstaller.co.uk
Through the Key
Hole at Origin HQ
The demand for bi-folding doors in British homes continues
to grow, resulting in an increase in suppliers and consumer
choice, quality and competitive offerings available.
So how does a company manufacturing
bi-folding doors manage its supply chain
to keep ahead of the
game? To find out,
PRO Installer went
behind the doors at
Origin, a manufacturer of bespoke aluminium Bi-fold Doors,
Windows and madeto-measure Blinds,
who hold a 100% delivery success rate.
Quality from
the Start
Origin sources its own
aluminium directly from a
handful of key suppliers.
While there are many different grades of aluminium,
Origin’s aluminium system
is superior in the way the
profile is made, using only
prime billets. This high
grade aluminium finish can
easily be spotted on the
surface of all its products;
perfectly smooth and consistent.
Origin HQ in
Buckinghamshire
Flow Line Process
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 one
of the leading UK manufacturers of bespoke
aluminium bi-fold doors.
Neil Ginger, CEO of
Origin, and his team
designed the Origin bifold door system from
scratch, ensuring even
the smallest details are
carefully considered and
designed to guarantee
a precision engineered
door system.
As a British manufacturer, Origin maintains direct control over quality.
Unlike other manufacturers, it doesn’t allow any
external fabrication of its
door system. The product
goes out completely finished and ready to install.
As a result, Origin has
been able to guarantee
faultless performance for
at least 20 years.
The 18,000 sq ft x 40,000
sq ft factory is in constant
production. Origin runs a
flow line manufacturing
process. Each worker has
a defined role, carrying
out tasks repeatedly as the
product moves between stations, much like a conveyor
belt.
The Operations Manager designed the ‘standard
work’ at each station and
set an allotted time against
that task, so Origin knows
how long each task takes
at each station, and how
long a set of doors will take
to manufacture. A bespoke
traffic light system was
introduced with live production flow screens visible
throughout the site so every
member of staff is aware
of production levels and
delivery dates.
The business has the
capability to manufacture a
bespoke set of bi-fold doors
within 22 minutes; this is
not affected 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.
‘high quality
bespoke doors
quicker and
more efficiently’
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 six to eight
weeks, Origin can deliver its
bespoke aluminium doors
to you in 24 hours.
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,
the company 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