Design Process 10.

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Sourcing

Sourcing of components

When sourcing component parts and materials it’s important to consider the following:

Availability

When specifying components, it’s important to account for regional availability. We recommend using parts that are globally available to account for maintenance, servicing and future availability. For example, sub-components available in the Far East might not be available to local maintenance companies in Europe in small quantities, thereby causing unnecessary costs.

Similarly, the standard specification (such as sizes) of products such as LCD screens are frequently updated and vary by supplier. Therefore if the designer is building the screen into a housing tolerances should be allowed to facilitate alternative suppliers.

Consideration of product lifecycle is important; If looking at a store refresh, it’s key that all components are available in all regions over the time period needed to ensure standards are maintained with ease.  Lead times can be lengthy on some components, so looking at stockholding and bulk purchasing helps ensure project deadlines are met.

Pre-assembly and pre-configuration

In order to reduce the time, manpower and cost of on-site installation, designers should seek to ensure equipment is pre-assembled. Typically referred to as ‘plug and play’, this can apply to the construction of furniture and installation of lighting or digital equipment. Pre-configuration also reduces the number of trips to site and the number of people installing, thereby reducing carbon emmissions. This also reduces the risk of issues on-site if equipment is fully tested and technical problems or faults can be resolved before anything is delivered to site.

Delivery

Where possible a kitting and logistics company should be used so multiple suppliers’ parts can be grouped and delivered to site at one time. Alternatively, manufacturers should plan to deliver a ‘store in a box’, containing all parts required in one delivery. This reduces the number of visits to store, again reducing carbon emmissions.

Packing

By collating deliveries and using stillages or reusable containers, suppliers can reduce the need for packaging and reduce waste. Additionally, not all sites will have facilities for responsible disposal and recycling of packaging or else access during the installation can be limited.

Installation Services

If equipment will require physical installation on site and any final integration, working with a single service provider who can work with a variety of equipment will reduce multiple parties visiting store, again reducing carbon.

 

dc Compliance

Following dc certification the retailer, brand, designer and or manufacturer will have a detailed document pack to tender with.

Tender Pack:

  1. Full set of general assembly drawings
  2. Full set of components and specified manufacturers

This information should be made using:

  1. Drawings PDF
  2. Drawings DXF
  3. Drawings 3D Models
  4. JPEG Thumbnails
  5. Electrical Content
  6. Risk Assessment
  7. O&M Manual
  8. Assembly and disassembly manual

This information can now be used in order to complete accurate tenders and while it’s not compulsory, we recommend using the dc library to select pre-approved suppliers.

In order for suppliers to be approved and listed within the dc library, companies must comply with the following:

  1. Agree to meet the quality and sustainability requirements of dc
  2. Agree to undergo a competency and financial audit each year
  3. Participate at a dc training event annually
  4. Provide full technical details of approved equipment including:
    • Drawings PDF
    • Drawings DXF
    • Drawings 3D Models
    • O&M Manual
    • Installation instructions
    • Risk Management
    • Standardising components and identifying multiple qualified sources ensures manufacturers are not redistricted by the supply of single sourcing or unique products.
    • Using audited suppliers gives manufacturers the confidence that they are meeting the ethical and sustainability codes of practice required by retailers.

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