Meeting demand

As lockdown eases, Yale has announced that it continues to manufacture in the UK to meet the market recovery.

Since mid-March, Yale has continued to operate at a reduced level to ensure a productive yet safe working environment for employees, and “manageable progression in the supply chain”.

The majority of the brand’s product sales are manufactured in the UK, or sourced from Assa Abloy factories around the world, these short supply chains are inherently strong and flexible which, in turn, has allowed Yale to adjust its operations to meet market demand and customer requirements, the company said.

“Due to the strength of Yale’s operations, dedicated employees, and the preparation work it has undertaken, the brand has retained its inherent commitment to quality and continuity of supply during the Covid crisis, while providing its customers with the peace of mind that Yale is more than prepared for the vigorous market recovery we are currently experiencing,” it said.

“During the lockdown, Yale’s team of technical experts have been working continuously on new product development, and as such have been able to launch the brand-new Yale Vertex range of decorative window hardware for vertical sliding windows earlier than anticipated.

“Additionally, the security hardware experts at Yale are also in the late stages of developing a new smart door and window product range, designed to fit into the frame with existing hardware, aimed primarily at the fabricator.”

Yale has been preparing for a post Lockdown era, gearing up for higher volumes and returning employees from furlough. Meanwhile, sales and customer services teams have stayed on top of order books and immediate requirements, and supported direct customers to ensure the adaption to their short-term needs.

With revised manufacturing and office layouts, new ways of operating, stringent cleaning, and hygiene routines throughout all of Yale’s sites, employee safety is the first priority, the company said. Yale has also worked with suppliers and logistics partners to ensure that it has the materials to support operations.

Paul Atkinson, sales and commercial director at Yale, said: “We have seen export markets bounce back, closely followed by the UK market. Countries that were in lockdown ahead of the UK are now back at work with orders and deliveries in high demand and we see this happening week by week in the UK. We hope this growth is sustained and indicative of what’s to come for the rest of 2020 and into 2021 for the UK.”