Waterloo puts contingency plans in place for Brexit

Waterloo Air Products plc, UK manufacturers of ventilation grilles, diffusers, weather louvres and VAV systems, has created a programme to strengthen its supply arrangements, to reduce any possible disruption as the UK plans to leave the EU – the company’s Managing Director, John Tiernan, has offered his thoughts.

“It has become increasingly clear that during Brexit there are potential risks to the disruption in the supply chain for business that trade with EU member states,” John commented.

“Although we import a range of materials and sub-assemblies from a small number of EU countries, the vast majority of Waterloo’s products are made in the UK.

“This makes the scale of our exposure relatively small, however, to minimise the risks to customers we have put in place a four-part programme.

“Firstly, we have built up our level of safety stock so that we have a buffer against any delays from goods currently sourced from within the EU. This was completed in February.

“Secondly, we have modified the parameters which control our ERP system’s replenishment function. The ‘prompt’ to place stock orders now occurs earlier. This improves our capability to adapt to any delays which may occur in the fulfilment cycle.

“Thirdly, we have brought the manufacturing process of some components back in-house where the risk level has heightened for parts supplied from the EU.

“And finally, we have identified several materials and sub-assemblies which we can switch from the EU to UK suppliers; collectively, these actions are designed to underpin the resilience of our supply arrangements.

“We have given priority to components and products that are on longer lead-times.”

“We expect the Brexit situation to evolve over a period of several months,” he added.

“By increasing safety stock levels, reordering stock orders earlier, bringing more manufacturing back inhouse, and switching from EU to UK suppliers, we will bring higher levels of certainty for customers over this period.

“Waterloo will continue to monitor the affects of Brexit and we are committed to following an adaptable, responsive strategy which will allow us to cope with a range of potential outcomes without interruption to our renowned levels of service for customers.”