Door Industry Journal - Summer 2020

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 32 THE door industry journal summer 2020 Industry News Hörmann UK Keeps Calm and Carries On Over the last three months, Hörmann UK has undergone significant changes to its operations to ensure the safety of its employees, suppliers and customers, whilst simultaneously maintaining the same high standards of service and product quality. At its headquarters in Coalville, Leicestershire, production and warehouse operations are virtually back to full capacity, while its sales team are remotely managing a high volume of enquiries for both the domestic and industrial areas of the business. Following the Prime Minister’s initial announcement on Monday 23rd March, Hörmann UK took the decision to suspend normal business operations on the domestic side of the business immediately. During this period, a skeleton team of seven employees were operational throughout its warehouse, responsible for the continued trade of its portfolio of industrial products, which were essential in the completion of critical projects across the UK. Hörmann UK’s Service division also continued to work at full capacity, assisting both Hörmann and non-Hörmann customers that required urgent work on critical sites, including servicing and repairs. The business also continued to manage pricing and general enquiries through a limited workforce, with domestic operations safely re-opened from 4th May to support distributors in fulfilling existing and new orders. Eliot Buckby, Facilities and Maintenance Manager at Hörmann UK, said: “Over the last few months we have been working hard to evolve our business operations to ensure our team can manufacture and distribute our products in a safe and secure manner, in line with the Government’s current guidelines. “At Hörmann UK, the wellbeing of our employees, suppliers and customers will always remain our main priority and we will continue to assess and evolve our procedures to make sure we maintain this, whilst also ensuring the continued supply of our products.” Hand sanitiser stations, floor signs and one-way systems have been installed throughout its headquarters, with additional cleaning undertaken during the day, particularly on touch points. Currently, most office-based employees remain working from home. For individuals who have to work from its headquarters, desks are regularly sanitised and have been divided at a minimum of two metres, in line with latest government guidance. Perspex desk screens are also being installed to facilitate the gradual return to work where required. Before returning to work at the headquarters, all employees must complete an ‘Awareness of COVID-19’ online training programme. While staggered start times and break times have also been implemented, the use of thermal image cameras and electronic thermometers has been introduced if an employee begins to feel unwell whilst on site. David O’Mara, Marketing Manager at Hörmann UK, said: “Since March, we have regularly issue communications to our nationwide network of distributors via our internal Portal and have worked closely with our distribution partner, Sanderson Transport, to assist our suppliers and customers in every way through these challenging times. “As Europe’s leading door manufacturer, we have a responsibility to ensure we are continuing to support our customers and suppliers as our operational output and service offering rapidly increases in order to facilitate demand.” All air conditioning units through the offices have also been fully serviced and all water services and drinks stations are being regularly checked and sanitised. To view Hörmann UK’s complete offering for the industrial and consumer markets, visit https://www.hormann.co.uk or call 01530 516850.