Boon Edam Inc., a globally renowned company in security entrances and architectural revolving doors, has announced that despite the difficult year for all businesses, the company was fortunate to see growth in 2020, owing to 59% more sales of optical turnstiles, in comparison to the previous year.
While most people began working from home (WFH) early in the year, orders for optical turnstiles, which are typically installed in the lobbies of commercial buildings, continued at a steady pace through the summer and into the fall season, indicating a strong interest among enterprises to create safe and secure lobbies, using a touchless security entry solution.
High demand for touchless entry solutions
Optical turnstiles have been gaining in deployment and popularity, since the Sep 9/11 attacks
Optical turnstiles have been gaining in deployment and popularity, since the Sep 9/11 attacks, due to their ability to deter casual intrusion in a lobby setting and relieve busy guards by detecting tailgating attempts using near-infrared detection sensors housed inside the cabinets. The turnstiles can have barriers that either swing or slide, or they can be barrier-free.
But in all cases, the optical turnstiles operate automatically and do not require a user to touch them. Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the desire to update security of buildings so that main entrances and lobbies are secure, while also touchless at the same time, has been one of the main reasons that interest in optical turnstiles continues to be healthy.
Record optical turnstile sales
Over half of Boon Edam's entrance products are automatic and meet the requirement for touchless entry for enterprises. As a result, the company was able to quickly adjust its operations to supply these optical turnstiles to organisations looking to immediately upgrade the security of their facilities.
Boon Edam’s most popular optical turnstile is the Speedlane Swing, which features a slender cabinet style and swinging glass barriers. Another popular turnstile, the Speedlane Compact, which has a smaller footprint, was launched in the summer of 2020.
Speedlane Swing and Compact turnstiles
“The year 2020 was terribly challenging for businesses and people around the world,” said Valerie Currin, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of Boon Edam Inc.
Valerie Currin adds, “We are grateful that our factory has been able to continue operating safely during the COVID-19 pandemic and we anticipate continued strong demand for our turnstiles into 2021, as our customers prepare their facilities for the 'return to work' phase, while maintaining both safety and security.”
New turnstile production line at Lillington facility
New turnstile production line enabled production staff to nearly double the business’ capacity each month
To meet the high demand in Speedlane Swing turnstile orders in 2020, the Boon Edam manufacturing facility in Lillington, North Carolina upgraded its operations to accommodate an additional turnstile production line.
All of this also while maintaining safe working conditions for its employees during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The new turnstile production line enabled production staff to nearly double the business’ capacity each month and uphold promised lead times.
Adherence to security and safety policies
Boon Edam’s Managing Director of the Manufacturing Business, Patrick Nora commended his team for their ability to pivot so quickly to meet demand. Patrick said, “People have moved around the facility and performed jobs they’ve never done before. We’ve implemented policies that, while necessary, have not been comfortable for anyone.”
Patrick Nora adds, “The team has worked overtime to ensure on-time delivery to our customers was never threatened. I couldn’t be happier with their efforts.”