Leading adhesive application and quality assurance systems supplier hhs Gluing Systems has moved its UK operation to larger premises to accommodate extra services for customers.
Providing first class customer service has always been a priority for hhs says Mr Nadeem Jadon, General Manager for the UK. "With our move to these new premises we will be able to build on the achievements we have made to date." The new building in Lynch Wood, Peterborough, is double the size of the company's previous site and has allowed hhs to increase stock holding capacity and install a purpose-built workshop. "We've done this with the aim of further enhancing the support we give our customers," explains Mr Jadon. "The folding carton industry demands that equipment suppliers like us fully support their spare parts needs. In this new building we have increased the range of stock items we hold and that can only be of benefit to them."
The technical support team at the UK site handles a range of calls on a daily basis - from helping users identify the correct spare parts, to providing product information and giving technical advice over the phone. "When you are dealing with a process like carton gluing it's important that you know the process as well as the equipment, says Mr Jadon. "By having people that know both elements we are able to give the best possible advice." The team also holds a technical library for all hhs equipment and acquires technical manuals for customers on request.
Fully equipped workshop
Within the purpose built workshop, repairs and testing are carried out by the company's engineers, including an office based Service & Technical Support Engineer. "All of our engineers are highly experienced professionals and they are all very pleased with the enhanced facilities at the new site. The extra space means that we have room for more loan equipment. These are the units we lend customers so that they can carry on working as normal while their equipment is with us for repair or servicing. A big plus for our customers is that the new facilities mean we can get their own equipment back to them more quickly."
Mr Jadon also sees other uses for the new premises apart from the technical support facilities. "Somewhere like this is the perfect platform from which to keep our customers informed about the latest developments in the industry and to launch new services and products." The company is already working on plans for open houses and technical seminars, probably in the new year.
Interactive hot-melt system
It has been a busy year for hhs. Not only has the UK operation moved, but the whole business is celebrating both its 20th anniversary and the launch of its new Xmelt range of hot melt application equipment.
hhs believe that their new Xmelt system is the first 'interactive' system on the market. This technology allows the exchange of references and metered values between Xmelt melters, hotmelt hoses and application guns. With this information the Xmelt melter can adapt the parameters of the system, such as heating algorithms, to ensure the connected heads and hoses operate at their optimal performance. This ensures faster heat-up and more economical use of energy.
Additionally the InterActive technology supports external communication, allowing the user to modify parameters through a company intranet or even via the internet. This provides a powerful tool for production management and gives a highly flexible approach to process control.
By using the same technology, hhs can now offer remote diagnostics control on this range of equipment. The objective of this approach is to maximize operational time.
Right time
To support the introduction of the new ranges, as well as their successful cold-glue, control and QA ranges, hhs have just announced the recruitment of an additional sales executive to work in the UK. "These things have all come together at the right time," says Mr Jadon. "Because we've been established for 20 years, customers know they can rely on us. The new facilities here in the UK, and the new products available worldwide, mean we can continue to support our existing customers while at the same time attracting additional ones. Our company strap line is 'Let's stick together' and it's one we really believe in. Our customers rely on us to keep them going and we never forget that we rely on them. That's exactly how it should be."
