International. Boon Edam announced that it sold 59% more optical turnstiles in 2020 compared to the previous year. The company explained that despite the pandemic, orders for optical turnstiles, which are normally installed in the lobbies of commercial buildings, continued at a steady pace through the summer and into the fall, indicating a keen interest in creating secure lobbies using a contactless security entry solution.
Demand for contactless entry drives turnstile sales
Optical tourniquets have been gaining in deployment since 9/11 due to their ability to deter occasional intrusion into a lobby environment and relieve busy guards by detecting infiltration attempts using near-infrared detection sensors housed inside cabinets. They may have barriers that sway or slide, or they may be barrier-free. But in all cases, they work automatically and do not require the user to touch them. Due to the pandemic, the desire to upgrade buildings so that major entrances and lobbies are safe, though also contactless, has been one of the main reasons why interest in optical turnstiles remains healthy.
More than half of Boon Edam's input products are automatic and meet contactless entry requirements. As a result, the company was able to quickly adjust its operations to supply these turnstiles to organizations looking to immediately improve their facilities. Boon Edam's most popular optical tourniquet is the Speedlane Swing, with a slim cabinet style and oscillating glass barriers. Another tourniquet, the Speedlane Compact, which has a smaller footprint, was launched in the summer of 2020.
"The year 2020 was terribly difficult for businesses and people around the world," said Valerie Currin, CEO and Managing Director of Boon Edam Inc. "We are grateful that our factory has been able to continue to operate safely during COVID-19, and we anticipate continued strong demand for our optical turnstiles in 2021 as our customers prepare their facilities for the 'return to work' phase while maintaining both protection and protection. security."
Growing production space to meet demand
To meet the increase in Speedlane Swing tourniquet orders in 2020, Boon Edam's manufacturing facility in Lillington, North Carolina, upgraded its operations to accommodate an additional turnstile production line, all while maintaining safe working conditions for its employees during the pandemic. The new turnstile production line allowed production staff to nearly double the company's capacity each month and maintain promised lead times.
The manufacturing plant's Managing Director, Patrick Nora, praised his team for their ability to pivot so quickly to meet demand: "People have moved around the facility and done work they've never done before. We have implemented policies that, while necessary, have not been comfortable for anyone. The team has worked overtime to ensure that on-time delivery to our customers has never been threatened. I couldn't be happier with their efforts."
