Find Creative Solutions to Ease Supply Chain Issues, Advises Leading Supplier

A leading supplier and manufacturer of plumbing products has made a significant investment in tech as it looks to combat the impact of wider supply chain issues.

Staffordshire based Intatec, which supplies its products across the UK and internationally, achieved a record sales month in October 2020 with 340,000 individual items picked, packed and dispatched.

However, as supply chain issues intensify in the plumbing industry and beyond, the business is focusing on tech investment to automate order processing, as well as ensuring transparency with its clients in order to manage delivery date expectations.

The current supply chain situation affecting numerous sectors has been described as a ‘perfect storm’ brought about by an exodus of European drivers, COVID-19 related testing delays at UK and European ports, self-isolation and an interruption to the training and examining of HGV drivers.

Intatec has invested £50,000 in software to speed up order processing and streamline communication between sales teams and warehouse staff.

Stuart Gizzi, Managing Director at Intatec, said: “Our approach to challenges has always been to look for positive solutions.

"Our reaction to the COVID-19 outbreak and everything that followed is something we are extremely proud of.

“The current supply chain situation is affecting most industries, not just ours. We have seen examples of components with a 90 week lead time for delivery, so it is something that can affect all manner of products in so many different ways.

“However, we are taking the initiative to do our bit in protecting ourselves against any potential impact this could have going forward.

“Investing in technology to streamline order processing ensures that we are acting as quickly as possible when an order is placed to combat any potential delays, but we are also using our technical expertise to be able to offer alternative products to allow installers to keep a project running.

“We are also being open and transparent with our clients so they can plan ahead for themselves using accurate information.”