COVID has forced change at Flexipol – for the better.

The COVID crisis has driven dramatic change across Flexipol. From manufacturing to office workers, internal and external processes have been scrutinised and optimised. The impact has been overwhelmingly positive with closer customer relationships, operational efficiencies and stronger team spirit. 

Across three factories, we increased already stringent health and safety rules. We supplied PPE equipment, hazmat suits, set up 2m floor markings, established training sessions and then refresher training sessions. We created information posters for the factory and restricted canteen numbers. For sales, accounts, quality and finance teams who started to work from home, we invested in laptops, advanced IT support and internet phones. Daily video calls replaced round-table team meetings. More regular organised check-ins replaced over-the-desk chats.  

Unable to visit customers, there were worries commercial relationships might suffer. But with minimal travel time and instant video technical support, customer response times improved, problems have been swiftly resolved and customer downtime has reduced. Reducing friction and time associated with travel have improved work efficiencies and significantly reduced costs. From our homes, we have talked to customers and colleagues more, and made deeper personal connections. 

COVID has been a shock in many devastating ways. For Flexipol, the long-term business impacts of improvement and change will be overwhelmingly positive. By forcing us to reconsider how and where we work, we will emerge from this crisis kinder, stronger and more efficient.