Merchants will now receive their random length stocks of skirtings, architraves, cladding and flooring protected by a breathable, recyclable shrink-wrap, ensuring a longer shelf-life – and at no extra cost to themselves.
Metsä Wood has always prided itself on the quality of its product, with product being graded several times before, during and after processing said vice-president, product development and marketing Warren Dudding. "A lot of time and effort goes into making the product the best quality possible, so it makes sense to ensure it reaches the customer that way and that it maintains that quality while it’s being held in stock."
As a result, Metsä Wood has beefed up its quality control still further and invested a "substantial" sum in in-line shrink-wrapping machinery at its Widnes facility.
"Operationally we’ve changed the way we handle raw material and finished goods within our own premises," said Darren Pack, head of merchant sales. "We have become stricter on end of line grading and have introduced even tighter tolerances.
"However, shrink-wrapping is the ultimate solution, ensuring our products retain this high quality. Because it is wrapped and protected, the quality that comes off the line is the same quality the merchant will receive, which they can pass onto their customers."
Maintaining a longer shelf life will enable merchants to keep a greater depth of stock, said Mr Pack. "We anticipate there will be less waste for merchants, fewer returns and more sellable stock."
A short video animation (www.qualitywrapped.co.uk) announcing the development has already been sent to merchants and the sales team has been armed with marketing material, and the response so far has been very positive.
"Merchants and customers wouldn’t expect to buy and sell paint without a tin, or expensive tools without a protective case; the same can be said for quality timber products," said Mr Pack. "The best way to ensure such quality is maintained throughout the supply chain, without the risk of degradation, is to produce it to a very high standard in the first instance, then wrap it and protect it."
