Every single Jenx product is handcrafted in our factory. When our UK distributor, Jiraffe, returned to a market leading 5-day despatch, we went inside the factory to see how our equipment is made – see more on the Jiraffe Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Now, here’s the full story! We will follow a Standz abduction stander through every step of its journey through the factory; from idea, to testing, to manufacturing and to assembly.
The Standz as we now know it started off with an idea. We listen to customer feedback and clinical research to identify the need for a new product. Our research showed that there were very few abduction standers on the market, despite high customer demand and the clinical importance of abduction standing. So, we started developing the Standz!
Our Design team took this idea and started to innovate a new product. In this case, they assessed what the Standz needed to achieve and started creating prototypes; this involves the use of 3D modelling software, an in-house 3D printer for small components and ordering larger components from suppliers. A new product can go through many iterations before it is perfected!
To ensure a prototype can be tested to the same standards a finished product would be, any components must be made from high quality materials. Our Supply Chain Coordinator establishes good relationships with the external companies that we receive products from, whether that be raw materials, new machinery or design prototypes. If Design need a large 3D printed component for prototype testing, we can be sure that it will be of the same quality as if it was created in our factory.
Prototypes are not just tested by Design, but also by our Safety and Compliance team. They made sure the Standz met our high environmental, quality and health and safety standards. Every aspect of a new product, down to the last screw, must meet these standards. If they don’t, then they identify the problem and act on it.
The Standz prototype still had to go through a one last round of testing. This time, our Engineering department checked that the product can be made in the factory! They went through the Standz from top to bottom to make sure that every aspect could be moulded, shaped, sewn and assembled by our machinery and our factory team. With all these tests completed, the Standz was born.
We now distribute our Standz abduction stander worldwide to help many different children, but they are all made in our factory in Sheffield, UK. We manufacture most materials for our products in-house, which means we have a diverse range of departments with specialist jobs. A Standz will go through almost all these departments on its journey!
The Standz starts in the Machine Shop. Here, the team cut, shape and sand raw materials, including wood, metal and plastic. Woods and metals are cut to size using specialised equipment. Our PU department creates plastic pads using a foam which expands to fill a mould, and then hardens. The pads are then carefully trimmed by hand. Extra elements, like hook and loop material, may be glued on.
In our Spraying Department, wood and plastic alike are coated with paint or varnish to ensure a smooth finish. For example, after being painted in a special formula, the pads of the Standz are not only a striking colour but are strong and more resistant to wear and tear.
Small plastic parts are made in the Injection Moulding department. The team use enormous machines to fill pre-made metal moulds with hot plastic, which then cools in the desired shape. The mould releases, and hard plastic parts fall into a container below. Injection Moulding use all sorts of moulds for different components. In this case, the moulds create the adjustable wing knobs of the Standz.
Meanwhile, our Sewing team prepares comfortable and durable fabric covers for the Standz. During the design stage, research is undertaken to find the perfect fabric for a product. A lot of these materials require highly specialised sewing machines, so the team 
move between different sewing stations during their day! The Sewing team also prepare all fabric-based components of our products.
Finally, all individual components are shelved in our Stores for later assembly. When the time comes, our Assembly team match up all components and set to work carefully screwing and gluing everything into place.
The Standz is now complete and can be wheeled over to the Despatch department. Our employees give every product they package, including the Standz, a thorough quality check. They will then box up the Standz.
It will either be delivered to Jiraffe, ready to sit on the shelves in stock, or be despatched to over 35 international distributors. Either way, the finished Standz will soon find its home with a child in need! To find out more about the Standz, visit its product page on our website.
This blog is part of our 40 stories for 40 years’ series, celebrating our partnerships over the years. Click here to read more blogs in this series.
