Door Industry Journal - Summer 2020

SWS UK Ensures a ‘Covid-Secure’ Environment for its Customers and Employees To ensure the safety and wellbeing of its employees and customers during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, SWS UK, like many businesses followed government advice and made the difficult decision to temporarily close its factory and offices on the 24th March. Aside from a few key management roles, the business remained closed until the Secretary of State for Business, Alok Sharma confirmed that there were ‘no restrictions on manufacturing continuing’ from the 22nd April. Following this announcement, SWS UK’s initial steps in reopening focused on implementing new protective methods within their workplace, while ensuring adherence to the social distancing guidelines. Initially bringing back a limited selection of staff to cover all critical areas of their business, SWS has maintained its strict new safety procedures despite gradually increasing its workforce to meet the demands of the business. Some of the measures SWS has taken to secure its employees, at both their head office in Lancaster and their premises in London include zoned areas, ensuring cohort bubbles are formed, the closure of all communal spaces and a reconfigured workspace which provides the government-advised two metre social distancing. A deep clean and a thorough risk assessment was carried out before employees returned to work, and SWS UK’s senior management team prioritise this being updated weekly. Other ways in which SWS UK has safeguarded its employees and business continuity, consist of virtual meetings, a track and trace log for all movements around their premises and an investment in IT equipment so more office staff can temporarily work from home. The company’s distributors have also been reassured of SWS UK’s commitment to a safe working environment with a new procedure for the safe delivery of goods, which where possible, adheres to the two metre distancing rule and in all cases, eliminates the requirement for physical contact between the driver and the distributor. In addition, the responsible manufacturer has developed a series of guides which, used in conjunction with existing fitting instructions will aid installers in conducting a Covid risk-assessment prior to commencing work. SWS UK’s Managing Director Kevin Lindeque says: “The last few months have been a challenging time at SWS UK, as like many businesses throughout the country, we have had to navigate the regularly updated government guidance to ensure both the safety of our staff and customers, alongside managing business continuity. This has been, and continues to be unprecedented times, however I am extremely proud of how SWS UK has protected the wellbeing of its employees whilst continuing to safeguard the long-term future of the business. “Maintaining contact with our customers, suppliers and employees during the company closure has been key to us opening safely and successfully once the restrictions on manufacturing had been lifted. We are confident that we have created a safe and efficient production setting, allowing us to meet the requirements of our customers whilst providing employees with the reassurance that their safety is our priority.” For further information on any of SWS UK’s new Covid-Secure safety procedures, please contact customer.service@swsuk.co.uk Self-Serve Opens Doors for Colquhoun’s Colquhoun’s is one of Scotland’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of timber fire, acoustic, residential, and security entrance doors to clients across the UK for school, hospital, hotel and high-end residential projects. They rely on the huge range and unrivalled service that Norseal offers on all kinds of intumescent, drop, smoke and weather seals to keep production running smoothly. Next day delivery as standard, drop seals machine cut to size, and the sort of technical back up that has won awards in the industry all come as standard at Norseal. And now that top-notch service is available 24/7 through the company’s Self-Serve portal that offers Norseal customers round-the-clock access to a host of online services including online ordering, live order status tracking, account information, and pricing. Michael Gregan, Colquhoun’s Director said: “We use Norseal for all our seal requirements because they are great with communication and we have the total peace of mind of knowing that all of their products are high quality and fully certified. “Since Norseal launched Self-Serve we’ve been able to use it to place orders, check prices and see the live status of any of our orders, day or night. It’s quick and convenient and really complements the human interface we have with the Norseal team.” Norseal Customers can access the new service at www.norseal.co.uk/portal THE door industry journal summer 2020 Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 19 Domestic Garage Doors