4 minute read
Caslad keeps up with demand during the COVID-19 pandemic
Established during a global recession, Caslad is no stranger to operating during a tough economic climate. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic the company expanded its factory with seven new bin moulds and increased its stock holdings throughout its branches to keep up with the demands of the online shopping trend.
Caslad was established in the midst of the 2009 recession, as a wholesale company leveraging its industry experience and contacts to carve out a small market segment for ourselves.
The company quickly realised that a direct source business model was the only sure way of securing the longevity of Caslad. In 2011 the first container of castors and wheels arrived from China followed by the establishment of a basic steel fabrication factory in 2013. The company has substantially grown into one of the larger and more comprehensive importers and manufacturing businesses in its market segment.
Products manufactured inhouse include aluminium and fibreglass ladders, mild steel mobile ladders, mild steel trolleys, storage equipment such as bins and bin panels, display equipment and steel scaffolding.
EFFICIENCY AND VERSATILITY
Managing director Clayton Foster and Manufacturing director David Lyus have always believed in efficiency and versatility. This has pushed Caslad into mechanisation, equipping the ever-expanding factory with the latest CNC machinery on the market. This is possibly one of the major differentiating factors between the company and its competition.
The expansion of the Caslad factory has recently been bolstered by a R3 million investment in seven new bin moulds. Introducing the production of these bins inhouse was a necessity to better secure clients more competitive price with greater consistency.
IMPROVED ORGANISATION
The success behind the Bin is in the design itself. It has a rectangular shape and, rather than having a lid or a lock, it is open for easy access to the contents. The front of the bin has a lip to keep the contents from slipping out, to which a label can be added for easy identification. Dividers can be added for improved organisation of small parts. Caslad manufactures its own bins using only the finest quality PRP1042 polypropylene copolymers which are tough, impact and acid resistant. There are seven sizes on offer and the bins are available in seven colours: black, blue, grey, red, yellow, green and clear.
Caslad offers several options to help further organise the bins. Placing the bins in a cabinet creates a smart and accessible solution for any workshop, warehouse, or anyone that requires an organised storage solution. These cabinets are sturdy enough to withstand harsh industrial environments while the items inside are protected against dust, liquid spills, and related hazards. The doors open wide to provide for easy and convenient access to the storage bins. The cabinets are pre-fit with No. 7 or No. 8 Bins in the colours of your choice.
The success behind the Bin is in the design itself. It has a rectangular shape and, rather than having a lid or a lock, it is open for easy access to the contents
Caslad also offers free-standing units that are more focused on industrial storage requirements. In contrast to the Bin cabinet option, the free-standing unit is more easily accessible because it is open. There is the option of single or double-sided units which are ideal for workshops, garages, or your shed at home. The free-standing panels come as standard with floor stands for maximum stability. There is the extra option where lockable castors can be added to make the panel mobile.
Wall panels are perfect to wall-mount above a work bench as a space saving solution. Various sizes of the panel are sure to meet your space and storage needs. As a supplier of quality products, Caslad can state with confidence that the units can carry their weight and the loads of parts you may want to store in the bins.
EDGE OVER THE COMPETITION
]Adopting new technology as it emerges requires continuous investment. By adopting this strategy, the company has an edge over its competition through its efficiency. This requires constant R&D and critical assessment of all manufacturing procedures through client interaction and efficiency metrics. Caslad’s strategy has always been to improve, implement and provide the best quality range of products at a competitive price.
It is no longer good enough to just have some of the best quality products on the market to satisfy potential clients. Quick turnaround times, accessibility and an effective distribution network play a key role in keeping customers satisfied. In 2017 Caslad opened Durban and Cape Town branches to better facilitate this process. Together with its three branches, extensive stock holding capacity and over 50 distributors, we believe this network has been vital in maintaining excellent customer service.
OPERATING DURING A PANDEMIC
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a dramatic increase of sales through the online sector. Businesses that didn’t have an online store had to evolve quickly to survive and those that did, grew exponentially. This trend forced the company to improve its stock holdings throughout the branches in order to keep up with demand and better service its vendors.
Even though the economy and industry are not what they were pre-COVID, Foster and Lyus believe times like these are best suited for consolidation and introspection, helping to better equip the business for greater efficiency and future growth.
Caslad www.caslad.co.za
The expansion of the Caslad factory has recently been bolstered by a R3 million investment in seven new bin moulds
A Caslad bin machine
