COMMERCIAL SAFETY & SECURITY
China team ( L-R Lu Guohua , Purchaser , Pan , Lee Xudan , Admin Officer )
Expertise in the UK
In addition to working with colleagues and supply chain partners in China , Pan works collaboratively with UAP colleagues in the UK to ensure a joined up , multi-disciplinary approach across the product concept , design , manufacturing , sales and logistics processes . The company has an in-house team of product designers and technical experts in the UK , who engage with colleagues in UAP ’ s sales , marketing and product management teams to generate new product concepts and develop them to prototype stage .
This activity brings together market intelligence and customer feedback to anticipate technological and legislative change , stay ahead of trade and consumer trends and ensure new products are commercially viable in both their cost to manufacture and the potential demand . John McLoughlin , UAP ’ s technical services director explains : “ Our focus is on developing products that anticipate legislation , offer a best-in-class , tested and accredited solution , and address the needs of both installers and end users .
“ For example , the development of our new Kinetica + K4 3 * cylinder was inspired by the need to provide robust security for the end user that combats multiple break-in threats while providing smooth performance for years of operation . We also wanted to create a product that would offer compliance and ease of installation for the trade . By combining our design and technical expertise and market intelligence with our inhouse 3D printing and testing and our closely managed partnerships with manufacturers , we have been able to bring a game-changing product to market , which offers value for money and an unprecedented array of features and benefits .”
The development process for Kinetica + K4 is standard practice for UAP , as the company
continues to innovate across its product portfolio and design products specifically tailored for the UK market . The product combines existing , patented innovations within the UAP portfolio with new advances , including the company ’ s industry first Bio + keys ; a completely new concept in keys developed by UAP to protect end users against bacteria and viruses . While the blade of key is fabricated from conventional metal , the coloured plastic bow has been treated with special additive in the key ; proven to kill a variety of viruses and pathogens , including MRSA , fungal colonies and COV- SARS-2 ( coronavirus ).
UAP completes as much of the design , development and testing work as possible in-house at its headquarters in Greater Manchester before the company ’ s Chinese partners are briefed to produce the required tooling .
John continues , “ UAP has invested in 3D printing capabilities , which enables the product design team to take the new products to prototype stage without having to incur the costs associated with tooling until the design has been refined .
“ This is beneficial to the design and product development process in many ways . It allows the product development team to improve and refine the design without the delays that might be incurred if they had to wait for tooling to be produced and samples to be sent from China . It avoids the waste of materials during the product development process and it reduces the cost of product development , which can then be reflected in the price to the customer .”
Close collaboration between the UK UAP team and the company ’ s Chinese manufacturing partners is integral to completing the product development process and Pan plays an important role in connecting design and production
and ensuring the finished design can be produced accurately and at scale .
Once a new product has been designed by UAP ’ s UK team , part of Pan ’ s role is also to translate and provide the technical specification for the new product . She is also responsible for monitoring the manufacturing partner ’ s development schedule for the first units , aligned to an agreed critical path .
Pan adds : “ Effectively , we are able to work with our manufacturing partners as though they are an in-house department . In this way , we can ensure that customers can rely on UAP for both product quality and consistent lead times .”
Best in Class Although UAP ’ s products are focused on serving the UK market , the company ’ s manufacturing partners in China , and the eyes and ears on the ground in the Far East that Pan provides also bring an international perspective to UAP ’ s product development process .
“ UAP has a strong tradition of keeping a close watch on what the UK market is doing and looking for any opportunities to do things better ,” Pan continues . “ That ’ s how the company first started , by manufacturing pre-drilled and power-coated door knockers in a market that only offered a single finish and an undrilled product .
“ 25 years later , keeping a close eye on emerging trends from around the world and working hand in glove with both leading locksmiths and our manufacturing partners helps us stay ahead in our industry . China is the world ’ s manufacturer so we leverage that experience and knowledge , ensuring that UAP ’ s supply chain arrangements are based on a true partnership approach .”
uapcorporate . com
NOV / DEC 2021
57
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