Computer and printer industry heavyweight Hewlett-Packard had a problem with its Sandston, Virginia-based manufacturing and distribution facility. Employees were damaging building columns with powered equipment at an alarming rate. This meant some hefty repair bills for HP—repairing a single damaged column could cost between $4,000 and $10,000, and replacing a severely damaged column could cost up to $15,000. Most of the warehouse work was done by third-party logistics companies, making it difficult for HP to hold individual drivers accountable, so they needed help coming up with an alternate solution.
Enter Rick Fehan, director of procurement for PeakLogix (Richmond, VA), HP’s longtime material handling partner. During one of his routine safety audits, Fehan suggested using column sentries. These sentries, built by Sentry Protection Products, wrap around the columns and cushion any impacts, saving wear and tear on both the columns and the forklifts. The initial investment would be about $30,000 for the six-building facility. In other words, the cost would be the same as replacing two severely damaged columns. HP immediately recognized the return on investment and wanted to get the installation done as soon as possible.
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Fortunately for the customer, both PeakLogix and Sentry were ready, willing and able to oblige. The first thing that needed to occur was measuring and mapping the facility’s more than 300 columns, taking into account electrical outlets, fire extinguishers and other obstacles. Once Fehan recorded all the measurements, he sent them to Sentry, who took care of the rest. Fehan gives Sentry a great deal of credit for helping make things happen. “They were very responsive, and they shipped quickly,” he says. “We had everything within a week or two and the whole job was complete not long after.” Within 30 days, all the sentries were installed, and HP and its columns were under secure protection.