In October 2011, Clearstep took a huge step in line with our expansion plans and future ambitions for our company. Due to the growing demand for the Clearstep System, the organisation has had to accommodate for the rise in case submissions and the staff numbers alike which are needed to cater to the increased demand for our product. The dramatic growth of our company has resulted in a relocation of our head office and production site to a larger building.
The rise in staff levels at the company has resulted in each department within Clearstep growing in numbers; this has prompted Clearstep to introduce an interdepartmental cross training scheme in order to make sure that each production member is proficient in a variety of departments. This along with other production & office initiatives has allowed Clearstep to maintain the high level of product quality that we provide to our patients as well as supply the necessary personalised support to all of our treating practitioners.
PRODUCTION
Our production team are dedicated to provide our dentists/orthodontists with the quickest lead time possible and in early 2011, Clearstep where proud to announce the reduction of the lead time from 20 to 15 working days. Moving into a larger building has allowed Clearsteps production team to develop processes to ensure that the lead time can be further shortened.
“Increased efficiencies in the production process coupled with a rigorous training schedule inherent within our production team have allowed us to increase capacity whilst stabilising our cost base and reducing our lead time. 2011 welcomed a fully scalable digital production method from a previously manual method which we have worked to develop sympathetically under the guidance of clinical specialists maintaining the integrity of the Orthodontic profession and the quality of the orthodontic appliances we produce. Our new facility has allowed us to better the interdepartmental communication, better track the progress of patient cases, monitoring lead time to the nearest fraction of a day and encourage interdepartmental development and cross training. The impacts of which are truly amazing and we have enjoyed passing these improvements onto our dental partners and ultimately, their patients.
Given Clearsteps market growth, we are always looking for improvement. The new facility coupled with the digital production method was an absolute necessity if we were to be capable of servicing UK and international markets whilst maintaining our customer service proposition. Work volume and implementation of our new relationship management team meant that we had to take the leap. A move which has paid off in abundance and using a phrase coined by my Managing Director – Mr Alistair McCance, with the way we have set ourselves moving into 2012, ‘the only limiting factor to our company development and ability to service our dental partners needs is our imagination’” JAMIE PATTERSON (HEAD OF OPERATIONS & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT).
Clearstep have well and truly come from humble beginnings, it was only 5 years ago when Clearstep was manufacturing from a small lab with less than 10 employees and now the company are employing approximately 90 members of staff; this says a lot about how far we have come as a company and future intentions which originates from our passionate Chairman & Founder – Dr Andrew McCance.
Supporting our Clearstep providers is an essential part of the business, we have identified that each practitioner needs a point of contact to uphold their daily activity with Clearstep and to ensure that the communication between both parties is as strong as it can be. Clearstep have identified the need to provide world class customer service, and it is why we have invested a lot of time, endeavour and money in developing a dedicated sales and service department. We are constantly looking to improve and enhance our service with valuable customer feedback.
Now that a fully fledged relationship management team is in place! It will ensure that the members of the team will be spending 2012 on the road and visiting our practitioners face to face, making sure that Clearstep is being applied to its full potential within each clinic whilst developing a strong working partnership and improving business practice. Heading into 2012, Clearstep are on course for further expansion and show no signs of stopping. We are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished and would like to thank our practitioners for their continuous great work with our system. We are looking forward to what looks like an incredible year working with dental practices worldwide.
Thank you for all of your support and we hope we can continue to exceed expectations through
2012 and beyond – Alistair McCance, Managing Director
2012 and beyond – Alistair McCance, Managing Director
