[ Cover Story ]
[ Cover Story ]
Hart continues to evolve to meet its customers ’ often demanding requirements .
plants to produce biodegradable materials . “ These emerging industries are an important part of our business today . The plants operate under harsh conditions , requiring significant quantities of nickel alloys .” “ Another sector experiencing strong growth is the pharmaceutical industry , which made substantial profits during the pandemic and is now focusing on investing in the future . This trend is connected to the global phenomenon of ‘ reshoring ’. Companies in many sectors realise that they were too reliant on imports from developing companies in the past . So , they are moving production closer to home to control and future-proof their supply chains .” “ Events in Ukraine have highlighted once again how dependent some countries are on others for raw materials , with the war significantly impacting the supply chain , creating energy surcharges , and causing spikes in the nickel price . While working in such a global business as alloy supply is interesting , it also makes it difficult to predict the future .” “ One of Hart ’ s core strengths is that we always do well despite challenging circumstances . This is due to our financial stability and well thought through approach , with any risks we take being carefully calculated .” unpredictable , with lead times on nickel alloy pipes longer than stainless and carbon products due to ongoing raw material issues . It is still very difficult to predict the market . The aerospace and oil & gas industries , ( both of which consume significant quantities of nickel alloys ), are still enjoying growth . Some product forms have a much longer lead time than others . Another factor impacting lead times is that global vacuum ( re ) melting capacity does not meet current demand . This leads to certain ( nickel ) alloys having a longer lead time than others .”
“ With Hart , what you see is what you get , and our customers appreciate that .”
Project management Hart employs strong project management to fine-tune in-house processes and ensure smooth execution . “ This involves every department , from sales to purchasing , quality , packing and logistics . Our team thoroughly understands the specifications our customers work with , and as orders progress , they ensure every top-up meets the requirements . Large order fulfilments start with an internal kick-off meeting so everyone is aware of the specifications , which are re-checked every time the subsequent order phase arises . In order to maintain continuous improvements within our organisation , upon completion of a project , a debriefing with the client allows us to evaluate the process . Debriefs are a valuable learning moment ; we discuss things that went well and where we can prevent hiccups in the future to constantly improve . It ’ s all about people and understanding what we need from each other to make every project a success . We make it our policy to go the extra mile . We don ’ t shy away from a 200-page specification if a loyal customer needs our help !” The Hart team handles orders of any size , from complete large-scale projects to small one-off orders . “ This can save customers a lot of time , money and effort ,” adds Lizette .
High stock levels “ Our focus is very much on working closely with our customers and suppliers ,” explains Lizette . “ We believe in keeping our stocking levels high and the shelves full , and our customers know they can always get what they need from us . High stock levels mean we always have the capacity to service our customers and allow expansion . The market is still
Today ’ s customers rely on trustworthy suppliers who understand their needs and are willing to work closely with them .
10 Stainless Steel World September 2023 www . stainless-steel-world . net