Growth during the past few years means StyleRide needs to expand its Brisbane manufacturing operations and relocate to a larger single site manufacturing centre.
Over the years StyleRide has expanded to multiple locations. The business understands the inherent challenges that occur when coordinating manufacturing and logistics across different bases.
Based in Brisbane’s Acacia Ridge, StyleRide had to operate two sites to accommodate the growing operations the business required to continue manufacturing for its customers.
“As we’ve been growing consistently over the past few years, we expanded to our second site about a kilometre away from our Success Street head office,” StyleRide general manager of sales Stephen Long told ABC. “We had vehicles running daily between the sites, resulting in longer lead times for our products and inefficiencies.”
Despite the challenging environment over the past few years caused by COVID-19 and its global impact on manufacturing, StyleRide has continued to grow through innovation and new products. This has helped the group maintain its position as a leading manufacturer of transport seating solutions.
Long says COVID-19 impacted StyleRide’s operations, yet the business was able to respond positively to the challenge.
“It was certainly a challenging time as most manufacturing businesses would agree, but it was actually a good experience for us as a business,” Long says. “We actively looked at additional opportunities in new markets including marine, rail and defence.”
Although it originally started as a bus and coach seat manufacturer, StyleRide’s move to its new facilities comes after an expansion that now sees it supply products ranging from single seater RV motorhome seats through to the 105-seat Fraser Island barge design. When asked about how a bus and coach seating company can easily adapt to more complex requirements, Long says StyleRide’s versatility and unique product offerings is the key to its recent growth.
“Our strength is our customisation,” he says. “As we design and have capability to manufacture anything in house, we work with our customers at the design stage to devise a solution for any transport seating project.”
Moving into a new single manufacturing centre in Brisbane’s Acacia Ridge, the StyleRide team is looking forward to coordinating all activities under one roof. Long says the business is hopeful it will see greater efficiencies and increased production capabilities in the new centre.
RELATED ARTICLE: StyleRide bus seat lean manufacturing gets greenlight
The centre will be on Lysaght Street and will allow StyleRide to implement its 5S manufacturing principles to maximise efficiencies. By having fabrication, production, warehousing, final assembly and quality control all in one facility, StyleRide will be able to monitor product workflow. It also means the business can continue its focus on customer demand for current and new products while maintaining its high standards for product quality.
In addition to manufacturing, the new centre will also have dedicated vehicle installation areas. Customer demand for installation, fit outs and projects mean StyleRide can manufacture, fit and service all seating requirements in house.
All of this will be celebrated on May 31, when StyleRide will host its grand opening of its new manufacturing centre. The building is located at 29-41 Lysaght Street Acacia Ridge and will showcase the best of what StyleRide has to offer. On the day, guests from the industry, customers and suppliers will be able to visit and tour the new facility.
Long says StyleRide is excited to spread the word and celebrate the business’ next big venture.
“We’ll be sending out invites to our customers and suppliers,” Long says. “But most importantly we want everyone involved in the business, including friends, family, and even competitors, to come along and share the experience of our new facility.”
“We’re so excited to be announcing the grand opening of our new centre because of what it means for the company. Hopefully it can lead to a cost reduction that we are hopeful we can pass onto customers to reward them for their loyalty.”