Pro Installer August 2019 - Issue 77 | Page 17

AUGUST 2019 | 17 News Installer News is sponsored by FENSA test lab in order to ensure that the products were going to perform correctly, which was especially important in the case of the new hinge. It was great that ERA uses the 3D printing process to demon- strate how the final products will look and perform.” One of the great outcomes of ERA’s move to brand new pur- pose-built premises on the i54 business park just outside Wol- verhampton last year was the fact that the design and development departments were brought togeth- er under one roof. The 135,625 sq ft site is home to the company’s state-of-the-art research and prod- uct development hub, design team, test facilities as well as manufac- turing, warehousing and training facilities. With a team of six in product management and six in product design, having both teams under one roof makes working together and with customers on a day to day basis much easier, as has been borne out by the results of the project just completed with Solidor. For fabricators and installers it is important that their hardware supplier is not only providing solu- tions for today’s market, but that it is keeping watch on those of the future. Being able to identify com- ing market trends and being able to respond to them quickly means ERA can help to future-proof fabricators’ and installers’ busines. This is why being in contact with relevant regulatory bodies is important, and not only being in contact with them, but also having members of staff who actually sit on the bodies’ committees too. This results in prior knowledge of what is going to be required when pulling together a new product specification, and is also invaluable when enhancing new products. In the current financial climate, value for money is important for fabricators and installers. ERA is continually looking at ways to modify and enhance its 12,000 product lines to try to offer im- proved value for money and ways in which its customers can find positive differentials. Collaboration with custom- ers also of course brings forth specialist service initiatives which are in direct response to feedback gained. An example of this is the way fabricators and installers can now place orders with ERA right up to 5pm and still benefit from next day delivery. Enabling customers to be as flexible and efficient as possible, the Next Day Delivery Service with 5pm cut off is a huge achievement for ERA. It is only possible thanks to the significant investment in the company’s state of the art distribution facility, which is now working until 10pm to fulfil orders. This is a great asset, not only to the company’s larger customers, but also to smaller businesses who rely on quick turnaround and availability rather than holding larger stocks themselves. This adds not just flexibility, but can in turn lower the costs of in- ventory and storage for fabricators and installers, given they can now obtain product from the company at even shorter notice. The 5pm cut-off adds further value to the already great service offering of 98% product availability. For further information on ERA’s wide range of security products, including its innovative smart home security suite, visit www.eraeverywhere.com or contact the sales team on 01922 490 000 or by emailing [email protected]