Customer Survey: 6 Months Response – A Look Back
Earlier this year, we launched an ambitious Customer Experience Improvement Project, looking to understand how we could better serve our valued clients. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and the feedback we received was both insightful and constructive. Despite the great feedback, naturally the exercise helped us to identify areas for improvement. Today, we wanted to share the tangible steps we’ve taken to enhance our services and facilities based on your invaluable input.
Our journey from “good to great” is well underway, and we’re excited to show you how your feedback is shaping the future of Industrial Packaging.
Investing in Cutting-Edge Technology
One of the key areas we’ve focused on is bolstering our capabilities through significant investment in machinery. This September, we’re proud to announce a game-changing addition to our Cores and Tubes division: a high-speed multiknife core winder from Eberle.
The Eberle Advantage
This state-of-the-art machine is a technological marvel, capable of winding up to 20 plys into a core. To put this into perspective, our previous machinery could handle only a fraction of this capacity. The implications of this upgrade are significant:
- Dramatically Increased Production Capacity: We can now produce more cores in less time, reducing wait times for our clients.
- Enhanced Operational Efficiency: The advanced features of the Eberle winder allow for smoother, more streamlined production processes.
- Unparalleled Precision: The multiknife cutter ensures each core is cut with exceptional accuracy, meeting and often exceeding the most stringent quality standards.
- Versatility: The ability to wind up to 20 plys allows us to cater to a wider range of client needs and specifications.
This investment expands our fleet to five winders, positioning us as the leading supplier of Cores and Tubes across the island of Ireland. For our local clients, this means faster turnaround times and even more reliable logistical services.
Enhancing Our Facilities
Core Drying Room Expansion
We’ve significantly expanded our core drying room. This enhancement is more than just additional space – it’s a strategic improvement in our manufacturing process.
- Improved Force Drying: The expanded facility allows for more effective force drying of our cores.
- Boosted Crush Strength: This is critical for customers with stringent radial crush requirements, especially in industries where core stability is paramount.
- Consistent Quality: The enhanced drying process ensures more uniform quality across all our core products.
Precision and Capacity Gains
Reflecting on our 77-year history, it’s remarkable to see how far we’ve come. The equipment used in the 1950s, while advanced for its time, operated at a fraction of the speed of our current systems and lacked the precise control that modern technology offers. Today, we’re not only able to produce at greater volumes but do so with unmatched precision and efficiency, meeting the evolving needs of the industries that rely on us.
Expanding Warehouse Capacity
To improve lead times and product availability, we’ve opened a new state-of-the-art warehouse facility in Greystones, Co Wicklow. This expansion brings numerous benefits to our clients:
- Minimised Lead Times
With our enhanced inventory capacity, we’re now able to hold a greater volume of stock. This means:
- Faster response to sudden spikes in demand
- Reduced waiting times for popular products
- Ability to maintain a more diverse range of products in stock
- Advanced Logistics
Our role as both a manufacturer and a reseller of trusted brands from Ireland and Europe has been significantly enhanced:
- We can now “stock up” on popular products we manufacture ourselves, meeting peaks in demand more effectively.
- For products sourced from overseas, we can buy in larger quantities and store them locally, dramatically reducing delivery times and mitigating potential logistical issues.
- Flexibility in Inventory Management
The new Greystones facility offers unparalleled scalability:
- As our customers’ needs grow, we can easily scale our operations to match.
- We now have the capacity to work with customers on long-term planning, storing products in advance to ensure timely availability without burdening our clients’ storage facilities.
- Optimised Customer Service
Ultimately, this expansion is about providing superior service:
- Our dedicated team in Greystones is committed to understanding and meeting the unique needs of each customer.
- With more products on hand, we can offer more personalised solutions and deeper support.
- The increased capacity allows us to be more responsive to urgent requests and special orders.
Commitment to Sustainability
In line with the feedback about focusing on recycling and sustainable solutions, we’re taking significant steps towards a greener future.
Solar Panel Installation
As part of our ongoing capital investment programme, we’re planning to install solar panels across our facilities. This initiative represents our commitment to:
- Reducing our carbon footprint
- Lowering energy costs, which can lead to more competitive pricing for our customers
- Setting an example in the industry for sustainable manufacturing practices
Sustainable Product Development
We’re also investing in R&D to create more sustainable packaging solutions:
- Exploring biodegradable materials for the products we provide
- Developing processes to increase the recyclability of our packaging
- Working on designs that use less material without compromising on strength or quality
Improved Communication
We heard your request for more proactive updates about our business loud and clear. In response, we’re implementing several communication strategies:
Regular Updates
- Regular company news and updates on our website
- Increased social media presence to share real-time information and engage with our customers more directly
Showcasing Our Expertise
In response to feedback about improving the profile of our internal expertise, we’ve introduced a “Meet the Team” section on our website and are featuring our team members prominently on social media, highlighting the skills and experience of our key staff members.
Internal Improvements: Customer-Focused Signage
In addition to our external improvements, we’ve also taken steps to enhance our internal processes and communication. A key part of this initiative is the implementation of new customer-focused signage throughout our facilities.
Purpose of the New Signage
This signage is designed to reinforce our commitment to customer satisfaction and streamline our internal operations. Each department now has tailored signage that emphasises our key goal: to “Make it easy for the customer.” By fostering clear and consistent communication amongst our team, we can better meet customer needs, address issues promptly, and deliver high-quality service consistently.
The signage covers four critical areas:
- Delivery: This sign ensures we’re always focused on meeting delivery deadlines, reinforcing our commitment to timely deliveries that our customers can rely on.
- Quality and Standards: By emphasising quality control, we ensure that every product meets our high standards, giving customers confidence in the reliability and consistency of our products.
- Order Accuracy and Communication: This sign helps our team maintain accuracy and keeps customers informed about their orders, reducing errors and enhancing transparency.
- Problem Resolution and Relationship Building: We encourage proactive problem resolution and relationship building, ensuring that any issues are swiftly addressed, and customers feel valued and understood.
Benefits for Our Customers
This internal signage initiative translates directly into benefits for our customers:
- Timely Deliveries: Reinforcing the importance of meeting delivery dates ensures orders arrive on time, supporting our customers’ business schedules and reducing downtime.
- High-Quality Products: Emphasising quality control means our customers receive products that meet stringent standards, minimising defects and returns.
- Accurate Orders: Clear communication and order accuracy reduce the likelihood of errors, ensuring customers receive exactly what they ordered.
- Proactive Problem Resolution: Encouraging our team to communicate proactively with customers about any issues ensures that problems are resolved quickly, maintaining trust and satisfaction.
- Strong Customer Relationships: Fostering relationship building means our customers enjoy a more personalised experience, with staff who understand their specific needs and preferences.
The new signage is just one more way we’re working to improve our internal processes and, by extension, enhance the experience of our valued customers. It’s a visible reminder of our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction in every aspect of our operations.
Looking Ahead
As we continue our journey from “good to great”, we want to thank you once again for your valuable feedback and ongoing support. These improvements are just the beginning of our commitment to excellence. We’re dedicated to:
- Continually enhancing our services based on your feedback
- Investing in cutting-edge technology to stay ahead of industry demands
- Developing more sustainable and innovative packaging solutions
- Fostering stronger, more communicative relationships with our clients
We see these improvements not as a destination, but as part of an ongoing journey of growth and excellence. Your needs and expectations will continue to shape our path forward.
We look forward to continuing to work with you and welcome any further feedback you may have. Together, we’re building a stronger, more efficient, and more sustainable future in packaging solutions.
Thank you for being part of the Industrial Packaging family. Here’s to many more years of success for Industrial Packaging and for our progressive clients and partners. It’ll be great!