If you want to be profitable in the Fire Sprinkler Business, “efficiency with purpose” is one of the main drivers. Why “efficiency with purpose”? While the fire sprinkler business is driven by efficiency, more importantly we are a people industry. People (our teams) make the industry and our businesses successful.
When examining our businesses for efficiencies, our teams need to understand the purpose of efficiency so to buy in. For example, we want our teams to show up on a job site, hit the ground running, and get sprinkler pipe in the air. If we want fitters to be efficient and productive, we must provide them with the best setup.
For optimal setup, your “process” should ensure that all materials are on site and ready to go when your fitters arrive. A correctly fabricated pipe order is part of the equation, but guaranteeing optimal setup has much to do with your internal systems and processes. Efficiency starts long before the fabrication list is created or placed.
The fabrication/material procurement process should be created with an “efficiency with purpose” mindset. At a high level, the process may include:
- completed design
- the “Correct and Complete” fabrication list
- a schedule/timeline that is communicated to all pertinent parties
- identification of key team members and vendor contact information
- quality checks of orders, materials, and schedule
In thinking where the process begins, you must answer several questions. Who owns the fabrication/material procurement process in your company? Is it the designer, the fabrication stocklister, project manager, or superintendent? Inefficiencies begin when ownership is undetermined. Examples of inefficiencies include pipe arriving without hangar material – or all pipe and material shows up, but no scissor lifts have been ordered. We have all been at the point where we start to scramble. This can result in loss of man hours on the project and frustration starts to set in for the whole team.
So, what is the solution? Build out your “process”. Get the “process” on paper. Make it a living document so that it can be adjusted as you work your “process”. A good first step in creating your “process” will be to assign accountability – who owns what:
- who is responsible to get the fabrication list to the fabricator
- who is going to make sure that the fabricated pipe has the right delivery date
- who can the fabricator call for any questions on the fabrication list
- who will coordinate the arrival of all material alongside fabricated pipe
- who is double-checking hanger material
- who is making sure proper equipment is on site to start the install
- who has lead accountability, to make sure all the above happens
This may sound like micro-management, but an established “process” creates “efficiency with purpose” inside your company.
By putting these “processes” in place you are building a strong company culture that will create good morale in the day-to-day activities. How so? We are part of an industry that takes considerable pride in what we do, and we want to do it right. When sprinkler fitters perform efficiently on a job, they derive significant satisfaction from it. When the sprinkler fitters are happy with a project, the design team takes pride in that successful project. If the sprinkler fitters and design team are happy with a project, then management will see it as a successful project which typically results in a satisfied customer.
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Efficiency starts with a great design. Fire Tech’s newest course: “Beginner Fire Sprinkler Design” was created for beginner fire sprinkler designers. This robust, self-paced course averages 28 hours to complete. It’s a perfect companion to onboarding new designers as well as a great review for those new to design. As one recent manager communicated with us, “Our managers have reviewed this course to assist our new hires. It’s exactly what we have been looking for and we will continue to enroll our beginner designers!” -William S
Visit firetech.com for more information.
