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Success in Sight: Highlights from CEO Pamela Bingham's first six months
Since joining ERIKS in October 2023, I have had the opportunity to immerse myself in the business and gain valuable insights. This period has been crucial for understanding the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, as well as forming connections with the people who are the heart of our organisation.
One of my top priorities was to visit our branch network and engage with the staff who interact with you daily. I have been impressed by the depth of their relationships and their expertise in unburdening our customers.
The recent changes in our logistics, such as shipping goods directly from our Fulfilment Centre of Excellence (FCE) in Oldbury, have freed up time for branch staff to strengthen these connections further. By having more time to discuss problems and use our expertise to find solutions, we can continue to build strong, lasting relationships that benefit both your and our business.
Digital transformation continues to be a key focus for ERIKS. Our evolving digital infrastructure, including innovations like the digital replenishment App and the new automated track and trace function, is, we hope, enhancing your experience and providing seamless, automated service where required.
The digital replenishment App allows you to re-stock your stores at the touch of a button, making the process more efficient and convenient. Similarly, the automated track and trace function provides real-time updates on orders, just like in the consumer world, providing transparency and peace of mind. Attracting and developing talent is another area of focus for me. Having worked in the manufacturing sector for a long time, I am aware of the ongoing challenge to attract talent.
Successive governments have struggled to create a knowledge economy where young people can achieve academically and then view a career in manufacturing and engineering as an attractive next step. This is why I was thrilled to meet ERIKS’ first cohort of apprentices who joined the business in October 2023. Despite the perception that ‘no-one wants to work in engineering’, ERIKS received more than 1000 applicants for its apprenticeship programme.
These apprentices, who are currently at work in branches across the UK, are thriving in their four-year programme that combines academic learning with hands-on experience. By investing in the next generation of talent, we are not only securing the future of our business but also contributing to the growth and development of the manufacturing and engineering sectors.
The OnSite part of ERIKS’ business was another area I was keen to understand. ERIKS has operated in this way for more than 30 years, and we have a plethora of world-class customers who continue to sign multi-year contracts with us.
Winning the tender for the Weetabix business on seven separate occasions is an incredible achievement, and everyone at ERIKS, especially the OnSite team, is proud of that. This success is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of our OnSite team, who consistently deliver exceptional service, even in the face of complex challenges.
Plus, this unique element of our business continues to evolve, and we have launched a new modular structure for the OnSite offer so that it is easier to start to work in this manner - starting off simply and then expanding as time and budget allows.
Also, by combining OnSite with our reliability services capability it’s possible to truly align maintenance practice with stores management, inventory and procurement bringing a raft of benefits and efficiencies.
One thing that I would like to point out to readers of Know+How is that we recently launched the MRO Supply Chain report, in association with the IET’s Engineering + Technology magazine.
This report clearly shows the link between MRO practices and downtime and provides valuable insights into where there are profit opportunities in businesses that readers may not be aware of.
By bringing this report to your attention, I hope to empower you with the knowledge you need to ask the right questions in the right areas and reveal huge potential wins for your businesses. This is just one example of how ERIKS is committed to sharing our expertise and knowledge with the broader MRO community.
My first months at ERIKS have been a real pleasure – busy but exhilarating. There is much to do, as no business is perfect, but I am energised by what I have found and the people I have spoken to. I am looking forward to the coming months and sharing how my thoughts develop along the journey.
With a focus on engaging with our branch network, embracing digital transformation, investing in talent, celebrating our OnSite success, and empowering our peers with knowledge, I am confident that ERIKS will continue to thrive and grow, setting the standard for excellence in the industry.
For more information about ERIKS OnSite Solutions or ERIKS Digital Replenishment, or get in touch with your local ERIKS Service Centre who will be happy to discuss your options.
#ERIKS #LetsMakeIndustryWorkBetter #DigitalReplenishment #OnSiteSolutions #MRO
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