FRANKLIN, PA. - Conair Group of Franklin recently implemented what might be called a just-in-time delivery system for plastics processors. Gil Dissen, strategic marketing manager for the auxiliary equipment maker, said the company's Quick Ship delivery system guarantees that a processor who needs equipment in a hurry can get it the next day in most cases.
``We've had excellent response so far,'' he said. ``And we only just formalized it.''
The Quick Ship system allows Conair to send equipment the same day it is ordered, if the order is placed before 3 p.m. Eastern time.
``This is aimed at the processor who has a loader or a material feeder go bad on him, for instance,'' Dissen said. ``Instead of having that machine be out of production for a week or more, they can have it back in operation the same day or the next day. The parts and equipment are shipped with all the hardware, and are usable on most types of processing equipment.''
The company has increased its inventories of many of the most popular types of equipment, including valve kits, hoppers, material loaders, feeders, and motors to accommodate Quick Ship customers, he said.
Most of the parts and equipment require few or no tools to install, and are reasonably compact in size.
``This might also be good for the processor who is setting up new machines and just starting up,'' Dissen said. ``Many times people think about getting the major machinery in place, but don't remember that they are going to want an automated feeder, or some other piece of auxiliary equipment.
``Then they get their machine set up and they find they are going to have to hand feed for a week or two while they send out for the equipment.''
He said customers with unique equipment configurations also will be served within 48 hours through the delivery service, which will be able to supply even custom equipment quickly.