MCS CLIMBS STANNAH SUPPLY CHAIN

Stannah Stairlifts Ltd had a number of suppliers local to its Andover HQ, but was keen to investigate alternatives, with particular focus on entering into relationships with suppliers who had that capability and flexibility to cater for Stannah’s growth. The subsequent rigorous supplier-tendering process resulted in the appointment of Redditch-based MCS Medical.

Tim Eagles, Stannah Stairlifts Ltd’s Logistics Director, says: "I’m pleased to say that MCS Medical is one of our top ten suppliers, producing precision components which are beneath the skin of the product but critical to its performance. We are interesting and challenging to supply because we don’t constrain ourselves in terms of forecasting, which means that sometimes we can be 50% over forecast. Although our order time to customers in the UK is generally three days, it can be less than 24 hours. Supplier flexibility and commitment is essential for us to function and MCS Medical more than measure up."

MCS Medical has been delivering components lineside to Stannah Stairlifts for three years. "We work to a Kanban style Vendor Management Inventory (VMI) system, using returnable packaging," explains Warren Gray of MCS. "Each Friday we deliver sufficient componentry in plastic bins to keep the line running until the following Friday, removing the empty bins, rather like a milk round. This reduces stock-holding at Stannah Stairlifts with the positive benefit of not having cash tied up in stocking components which are not required in the immediate term. We enjoy the reflected kudos of supplying such a household, generic brand, and are also pleased to play a role in future product development."

The world’s leading stairlift manufacturer, Stannah Stairlifts, part of the British family-owned Stannah Group, has fitted over 200,000 domestic stairlifts in 52 countries. Every ten minutes of every working day a new Stannah Stairlift is installed somewhere in the world.

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