AR Racking is a company specialized in designing, manufacturing, calculating, and installing industrial storage systems for heavy loads, complying with the most stringent European standards. With an export rate of above 85%, AR Racking currently has commercial presence in more than 60 countries.
The company has a Technology Centre where R&D activities are developed, a completely automated Production Centre of approximately 35,000 m2 and a Research and Testing Laboratory at Mondragón University.
AR Racking is an international supplier who has seen a significant growth based on three core aspects: innovation, technology and specialisation, plus its success in assisting companies all over the world to improve their logistical processes.
AR Racking is part of the Arania Group, an industrial group of companies of great experience and scope, with a multi-sectoral activity based on the transformation of steel that dates back more than 80 years. Mike Smyth and Ian Humphries, UK National Key Account Managers at AR Racking spoke to Warehouse & Logistics News.
What are your best-known products and services?
Our pallet racking and long span shelving systems are undoubtedly our best-known products. Our services include:
• Design – safe, effective and efficient “fit for purpose” design solutions
• Manufacturing – fully automated facility, unrivalled 3-4 week lead- times, large stock holding
• Installations – safer well-managed installations (SEIRS Installers, SEMA compliant)
What new products/services will you be launching next year?
Our current product range can be configured to cater for most applications. We have recently expanded our UK team to help develop and build stronger working relationships through exceptional levels of customer service.
Tell us about your business highlights or a project you have recently completed?
Our UK direct sales division, distributor network and Group Companies have all delivered record sales to date in 2019.
Our business highlights can be viewed via our website and associated media channels.
What challenges will the business environment offer to your industry in the coming year? How will you turn these challenges into opportunities?
We are confident that AR Racking will continue to deliver their quality engineered products, “best in class” solutions and exceptional levels of customer service regardless of any forthcoming changes in the economy.
What industry sectors do you see offering you the most potential next year?
All sectors should offer good potential but primarily transport and logistics.
Are you investing in new premises over the next 12 months? What about recruitment, staff development and training?
We already have an extensive network of offices strategically located throughout Europe and will continue to invest in staff training and development during 2020.
Our expansion and recruitment plans will be reviewed in due course.
UK National Key Account Managers, AR Racking
How do your products help businesses become cleaner, recycle more and reduce their carbon footprint?
We are committed to helping reduce the carbon footprint by means of sustainable procurement principles involving primarily eco-label products. Our considerations relate to packaging, flight, transport, heating, office equipment, lighting and general use of energy.
How have business conditions changed and how have you reacted?
Everything moves so quickly nowadays…
The line between work and personal life continues to blur as technology evolves providing multiple channels of communication to enable customers to make contact 24/7.
Flexibility is key. You must learn how to manage your customers’ expectations, add value to their proposals, build mutually beneficial relationships, offer faster response times to enquiries, provide better design solutions, faster deliveries, safer well-managed installations, favourable pricing and collaborate with external suppliers to offer complete turnkey solutions.
AR Racking have the expertise, resources and credentials to deliver these changes. We consistently aim to meet or exceed our client expectations.
Are you involved in any major trade shows or other industry events next year?
We’ve recently exhibited at IMHX 2019 and have already pre-booked IMHX 2021. AR Racking exhibit at most of the relevant trade shows throughout Europe.
What recent changes/improvements have you made in customer service?
AR Racking truly understand the importance of account management and customer service. We have recently expanded our direct sales division with two highly experienced Key Account Managers.
Their combined knowledge of over 60 years will help to build and develop lasting business relationships.
Nowadays, we hold large quantities of standard stock items offering unrivalled delivery lead times (3-4 weeks) with exceptional levels of customer service throughout the UK and Europe.
We also have a carefully selected network of stockists and distributors for small-medium sized orders, re-active maintenance and general repairs.
Do your solutions reduce manual handling and physical lifting?
The design solutions we offer take into consideration the ergonomic requirements of our customers. This process involves ongoing development and discussions between AR, the client and their MHE specialist.
How do your solutions help customers increase the level of automation in their business?
Our products are designed to integrate with automated MHE whilst maintaining the correct critical interfaces for standard operations.
How do you help customers make optimum use of their existing warehouse space?
We take the time to truly understand the needs and requirements of all our valued customers. Our design and estimating department will then evaluate each individual application offering the most safe, effective and efficient “fit for purpose” design solution.
How much do your solutions and products contribute to warehouse safety?
We provide safe, effective and efficient “fit for purpose” design solutions installed by highly skilled SEIRS install teams in accordance with SEMA and HSE guidelines.
Our quality engineered product range has innovative primary component traceability for the purpose of quality control. Being part of a large steel group enables us to continually monitor the quality and origin of our raw materials to help minimise the risk of any imperfections in our finished product range.
Every project is unique in terms of requirements and carefully planned by our highly experienced project team. Installations are undertaken using safe and well-maintained mechanical plant. We provide detailed RAMS specific to individual site requirements ensuring all legal regulations have been met.
We hold all the appropriate ISO and EN accreditations.
The technical capabilities and safety of our system installations will always remain paramount to AR Racking.
To what extent are you drivers of technological change?
Technological change can bring about advantages and opportunities for businesses. New technology can create new products and services.
For AR Racking the emphasis has been focused on two new divisions to help develop this change.
Research & Development Division.
Advanced Engineering Project Division.
How futureproof and flexible are your solutions as businesses change?
Our range of pallet racking and shelving products can be extensively configured to suit most storage applications.
What big news can our readers look forward to seeing in Warehouse & Logistics News from you in 2020?
We intend to grow and increase our market share by continuing to uphold our moral and ethical standards. Our culture is based on integrity from the top down.
There will be some interesting developments within our stockist and distributor network. Our direct sales division will also have several prestigious case studies for your viewing pleasure over the coming months.
And finally, if you had to sum up your company in a hashtag what would it be?
#AR4APR
AR RACKING
01628 421 825
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