Other actors, perfect performance

During peak season, the rolls of insulation just kept on coming…

 

September 2022: Rising gas prices and the approaching winter are causing a commotion in the Netherlands. Many DIYers are rushing to insulate the upper floors of their home. A practical insulation system that even inexperienced handymen can install is becoming increasingly popular. Because aside from some rolls of insulation, all you need is a box cutter. The company supplying this system wants nothing more than to help out DIYers. One problem, though – the company’s production lines are getting overloaded…

No wonder, since the company also makes insulation systems for the professional market. And, during this same period, insulation specialists are working overtime. They are eager for insulation systems that allow them to rack up metres faster.

The solution? Outsourcing
Roy Boons is the Managing Director of the company in question, Reflex Insulation Group B.V. in Weert. He is responsible for Production and took an unconventional decision at the time. He temporarily transferred the production of PIF Home, the insulation product for the home market that is currently on the shelves at Gamma stores in both the Netherlands and Belgium, and other products to sister company SixPointTwo. The two production lines in Weert would then be fully available for the two systems for the professional market, namely PIF Insulation and PIF Isofast.

Why SixPointTwo?
At that time, SixPointTwo had zero experience with insulation materials. So, why this decision? “The production of PIF Home, a blanket of insulating film, is largely automated, but it also requires a small amount of labour-intensive manual work, namely for its packaging. Since SixPointTwo is an assembly specialist with experience in serial production, including manual work, we decided to outsource.” The fact that SixPointTwo does not have the machines used to make PIF Home was not a drawback. “In fact, the rolls can also be produced manually, in their entirety.”

Training in Weert
A plan of action was quickly drafted. A small team from SixPointTwo came to Weert from Humpolec. Professionals from Reflex Insulation Group provided instruction on the manual production process and on the use of the tools required in the process. One such tool is a suspension system for the layers of insulation film. The system and raw materials would be shipped to the Czech Republic.

Test on location
Speed, of course, is of the essence. SixPointTwo produced the first order, and the rolls of PIF Home were then transported to Cotap in Hasselt (NL), which supplies the Intergamma branches. The first run was inspected at Cotap. As it turns out, the quality was extremely high. “We signed off on the test document and immediately scaled up production.”

Logistics
For four months, SixPointTwo continued to produce the rolls. They continued to arrive punctually at Cotap. Delivery from the Czech Republic turned out to be no problem at all. “Orders for the Gamma stores must be delivered within two weeks. After a week, we knew exactly where we stood. For example, if an order was called in on the 5th of January, we knew it would be delivered on the 9th of January at 8:30 in the morning.”
Roy looks back on it fondly. “Production specifications, transport regulations and packaging requirements – all that was clear. Apart from a truck that stalled once, we didn’t have any issues at all.”

Communication is crucial
Why was this move such a success? “Our Supply Chain Coordinator and his Czech colleague communicated by phone and e-mail in English. That went fine.”
The systems in Weert and Humpolec also communicated with each other without a hitch. “Both companies work with the same ERP system. It was always clear which orders had been processed and which were still pending. On both sides, we always had an up-to-date overview. Important, because there have certainly been at least 60 orders.”

Ambitions
Unfortunately for SixPointTwo, it remained a one-off trip to the Czech Republic. “We have since added two production lines, so that we make everything in-house again. Our team has also grown. In 2021, we had 15 employees, and now there are 40.” Reflex Insulation Group has big plans, explains Roy, who recently became the Commercial Director responsible for sales, marketing and business development. Continuing to expand within Europe is certainly an ambition. That also means expanding the product range. “We develop new products for the renovations market. And we are also taking a look at the new-build market.” But Roy isn’t ready to divulge any more about that, just yet. On his ambitions for Belgium, he is more specific: “In February 2024, we will be at BATIBOUW, the trade fair in Brussels. It will be the first time that we can really present ourselves and our insulation systems in Belgium.”