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assembly |
2.
Steel & Foam
The
order process beings...
Francis' specific order requirements are entered into the Beautelle computer system to produce factory documentation and
initiate the order production process. Purchasing checks stock
of parts, materials and the required steel is ordered by the
buying department- it will take four or five days to arrive.
Meanwhile foam stocks are checked and allocated for the order. |
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1.
The Big Decision
Francis Kenny talks at length to Beautelle's senior advisor,
discussing the different options available on the electronic
Couch Ranges she has seen on the website. Various couch
additions and options are considered such as castor wheels,
couch widths and upholstery-plus the recently introduced
hydraulic lever that makes adjusting the back and foot sections
easier.
After liaising with the customer, complimentary salon
equipment such as trolleys and operator chairs are chosen to
suit the salon's refurbished look and our unique customer
service options are explained. Francis needs to book a date and
time for her delivery and full installation will be carried out
on-site. She is advised that it will take four weeks to
manufacture to her specific requirements.
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Because each couch design is different, the
supporting base boards for the couch sections are precision cut
and drilled to the correct pattern and the foam is also
shape-cut. The boards and foam bundles are now matched and
stored ready for the upholstery process. |
3.
Cut & Shape
The steel is delivered.
Now it can be cut and drilled to length, put into
product-specific jigs and welded.
It has to undergo stress testing next, before its
sent to the paint shop.
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4.
Spray & Bake
The
cut steel is powder coated to the customer's specified finish-
in this case, white.
After the parts are sprayed they will be
baked in a very hot oven - the whole process takes three to four
days. |
5. Tried & tested
Assembling the treated steel couch parts is no mean
feat - this is highly skilled work. With this particular order
trolley framework is also assembled.
The hydraulic pumps and the electronic motors are connected and
tested. |
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5. Needle & Thread
Frances' chosen upholstery is
precision-cut and prepared for sewing.
An industrial sewer joins together the cut pieces of upholstery to
form a shell for each couch section. Every section is sewn
separately, together with face bungs, chair tops etc. Each order is
then matched to board and foam sets ready for upholstering. |
6.
Fit & Finish
Quality control checks the framework for any
pit marks or scratches.
An upholsterer takes the sewn shells for each section of the
couch, stool and chair and upholsters it onto the cut board and foam. This
process is timed as close as possible to despatch date to keep the
upholstery in pristine condition.
The sections are then quality controlled and set aside ready
for on-site finishing in the five beauty rooms at Frances' salon-
although couches and chairs are normally
assembled at the factory.
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7.
Check & Go
The couch framework and upholstery sections, pre-assembled
trolleys, chairs and accessories are checked against the order
documentation, then wrapped or boxed and loaded into one of the Beautelle
vans ready for next-day installation.
Frances phones to ask for six more stools to
go with this order- due next day!
Factory staff work late into the night to
accommodate this extra requirement. |
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8.
An Early Start
Installation day - delivery is scheduled for 8.30am
so two support technicians set off at 5.30 am and arrive at the
salon for 8.15am to talk through the logistics with Francis before
unloading. The equipment is then assembled and set up in each
treatment room before the senior technician checks and demonstrates
each item. At 2.30pm Frances checks the equipment and signs the
satisfaction documents.
When the senior customer advisor telephones to check
progress, Frances orders an extra couch! |
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9.
The Final Word...
A final word from Francis Kenny proprietor of Secret
Health & Beauty Salon-
"
I needed a complete overhaul and to improve the quality of my couches and
equipment. I liked what I saw of the Beautelle beds; they had what I needed
and the price was right".
Secret Health & Beauty Salon
64 Church Road; Barnes, London.SW13 0DQ
Tel: 0208 3929640 |
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fit & finish
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