by Natalie Edwards

ATCO Steel Developments NZ Ltd, Wellington – Success Story

 

‘It's absolutely 110% improvement from the system we used to have. It's quick, it's easy, it's neat. I cannot see us letting this system go any time soon.'

 

The team at ATCO Steel Developments describe how QUICKSTOCK has helped them eliminate time and stock wastage, while gaining control over their usage.

Tell us a bit about ATCO Steel Developments…

 

ATCO's been around since 1939. We've done pipes, vessels, structural, trucks, and now we mainly do structural steel and seismic strengthening in Wellington. We've got 40 staff, and we work in the greater Wellington region. Both in our workshop fabricating our steel and installing it on site.

Dave Olsen, General Manager

How did you manage consumable inventory before QUICKSTOCK?

 

[Dave] Before ATCO had QUICKSTOCK, we would have a store cupboard which management would stock up consumables and issue them out to the workshop and the stores as we needed them. This was time-consuming for the management as we'd have to go shopping at Bunnings and things like that. If we didn't have something in stock, it would mean that staff would have to stop off and pick it up. This ultimately meant 4 staff at a time sitting in Bunnings while 1 person went shopping. Massive time loss.

Why did you decide to use QUICKSTOCK?

 

It was a full-time job. You know, trying to manage consumables. You know someone would come in the morning first thing and he's like 'oh I need a drill bit' and if you try and find it and you don't have it, you have to do an order, you have to go around trying to find it. If it's not available there's always a lead time with most of the companies. So if it's not available there could be a delay and downtime.

Chris Venter, Site Manager

 

The problem was storing the consumables upfront, and we don't know what we're going to use at the time. Now we still have those items just sitting there doing nothing. Which is just a waste of money for us at the moment. And it's not going to be used.

Hardik Jariwala, Production Manager

 

[Chris] And before you know you'll have 10 items just sitting there and you could have a thousand bucks just sitting there on your table. So it's a lot of wasted money.

 

[Dave] The idea of QUICKSTOCK when Euromarc suggested it was a no-brainer because it meant no downtime for managers and it meant that we could have all of our consumables in one place, and with one supplier, and readily available when needed.

How does the QUICKSTOCK system work with your operations?

 

[Chris] So the system that we have adapted is just straightforward. We've got 2 sets of keys. We've got one set in the office and one set in the stores by the storeman. So if one of the staff needs something, they either come and see one of us in the office or they go to the storeman, and we will open it up and give them what they need.

Have you experienced any hurdles with the QUICKSTOCK system?

 

[Chris] I think it was just a change for the guys because they were used to just going to stores and taking whatever they want. So that was a big change because you could have 5 items available, and the next minute there's none. So at least now we have control over it.

 

[Dave] The biggest issue we had when we started QUICKSTOCK was not realising how much consumables we actually use. We gave a list to the Euromarc team and within a month, we were ringing them saying we'd run out. I think this was more our problem for not realising what we were going through, and they've now got it all under control after 3 months.

How would you say QUICKSTOCK has improved your business?

 

[Chris] So QUICKSTOCK improved the business in the sense that it's always just there. It's in a cupboard, it's available. You know, any time, any day. It's pretty much, take the key, go get what you need. And it gets topped up without even knowing it. So if we get low, next minute it's topped up again. So it's like it's a perfect solution.

 

[Hardik] At the moment it's easy for us. It's there, open the cabinet, get the stuff.

 

Would you recommend the QUICKSTOCK Solution to other engineering companies?

 

[Dave] Since we've put it in we've expanded from 2 cupboards to 3. We would definitely recommend the QUICKSTOCK solution to any other business. If you're in doubt, try it out. There's nothing to lose.

 

[Chris] I would definitely recommend the QUICKSTOCK solution to other engineering companies. I think we all basically face the same problems. We all have the same issues. And I can see it makes life easier for them as well.

 

[Hardik] I would definitely recommend the QUICKSTOCK solution to other engineering companies as it will save a lot of time for them.

 

[Dave] The guys at Euromarc are awesome. Whenever we need something, even if it's something out the gate we can ring them up, ask them, and they'll do their best to try and find it for us. There's never an answer no. There's always just a solution.

 

[Hardik] The guys from Euromarc, they are fantastic to work with and they know what we need.

 

[Chris] It's absolutely 110% improvement from the system we used to have. Before there was no control. There was a lot of wastage. You know. Whereby now at the moment it's quick, it's easy, it's neat. You know everything just works out. I cannot see us letting this system go any time soon.