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Jewsons
Application Story
ATD
PROVIDES TIMESAVING SOLUTION FOR JEWSON
Large
quantities of timber have been at the heart of activities
of one of the country’s best-known chain of builders’ suppliers,
Jewson Ltd, since its formation in 1836. In fact, so many
different lengths and profile types are now held in stock,
that staff at the company’s 440 retail outlets were wasting
too much valuable time searching for the right piece. The
experts at ATD Inkjet Systems Ltd have been able to provide
the ideal, timesaving solution.
So
Jewson decided it needed to tackle the problem at its source
- the docks at Hull where countless tonnes of wood from Finland
and Sweden are unloaded and processed. From there the timber
is transported nationwide prior to sale to professionals and
do-it-yourself enthusiasts.
Jewson
wanted an identification system, which would help the workforce
easily identify the size of any piece of wood quickly and
correctly at a glance. But it wanted a little more as well
– a works order code number to give complete traceability
of each and every piece of four by two, floorboard, architrave
or skirting board, from timber grower to point of sale.
Through
its own Internal Timber Supplies undertaking at King George
Dock in Hull, Jewson considered several possible systems before
concluding that only one fitted the bill. ATD Inkjet Systems
Ltd, a company founded just 13 years ago to manufacture and
market industrial inkjet technology and engineering coding
solutions were able to provide the perfect solution Jewson
were looking for.
ATD IP9000 System
Installation
Leicestershire-based
ATD installed seven of its IP9000 industrial printers at Hull
– with a further three going to a sister site in Newport,
South Wales – and a six-month trial run was so successful
it left Jewson staff wondering just what they did before ATD’s
expertise arrived.
Jewson
Internal Timber Supplies’ site manager Richard Smith said
the system had proved a major boon to workers. ‘‘Before it
was installed we did just about nothing to mark our lengths
of timber, it was a real trial and error process finding a
piece to fill out any order. We did put meterage labels
on by hand but there was nothing to tell anyone where the
timber had come from and how long it had been in stock.
Timber Just Printed Using ATD IP9000 96/32 Printhead
‘‘Now
we have a system which measures the exact length of each piece
of timber which passes under it. Every single piece – and
we deal with something like 25,000 or 30,000 a day at Hull
and Newport together – gets the length and a works order number
printed directly onto the end grain. It not only makes the
task of finding the right length simplicity itself but it
has brought major improvements in stock control. It really
has been a good investment.’’
ATD HI Resolution Close-up Print Sample (ONLINE)
ATD
director Paul Reeve was delighted his company won the order
– but not greatly surprised. ‘‘Jewson had discussions and
trials with a number of inkjet printing equipment manufacturers
with our trial period running over six months, during which
ATD had to install a fully engineered solution which guaranteed
the Jewson product was aligned correctly for printing. Our
IP9000, high-resolution printers, which use information transmitted
from a Systek tallybeam system, out-performed the equipment
of all our competitors by maintaining optimal print quality
at the lowest running costs.
‘‘Both
Jewson and ourselves have had highly positive feedback from
the company’s retail outlets where there are constant reports
of major improvements in correct-length selection, time saving
and stocktaking ease. And as a bonus, the system has given
Jewson accreditation from TRADA, the Timber Research and Development
Association, which will give customers quality assurance and
therefore greater peace of mind.’’
ENDS
Background
Information
ATD
Inkjet Systems Ltd was established in 1990 by a group with
over 30 years experience in industrial coding and marking.
They manufacture and market industrial inkjet systems and
engineering coding solutions.
Their
systems include the IP9000 series and their experts are constantly
working to develop new products to meet the needs of customers.
A comprehensive array of options including off the shelf
systems are available to complement their product range.
Based
in Market Harborough, ATD supply systems to over 20 countries
both directly and through distributors.
The
company have a wide range of customers including well known
names like Heinz, Walkers, KP and British Gypsum.
Sales
At:
ATD
Ltd
Unit
K1, Valley Way, Welland Business Park
Market
Harborough
LE61
7PS
Telephone
(01858) 461014 or Fax: 01858 461015
Email:
mail@atduk.com
www.atduk.com
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