SCA Packaging is a leading provider in Europe of customer-specific packaging solutions with emphasis on state-of-the-art design and local service close to customer facilities. SCA Aylesford is part of the Southern Region of SCA Packaging UK & Ireland and supplies industries such as consumer goods, produce, fmcg (fast moving consumer goods). All products are produced from renewable and recyclable materials. The Aylesford plant was opened in 1930 and the site also includes the UK Central Office.
Increased security was required to improve both the safety of SCA Packaging's employees and ensure trouble free movement of vehicles both in and out of the site.
Paul Geddes from SCA Packaging Aylesford headed this initiative and sought a number of options from various suppliers.
Security on the factory and office buildings consisted of four sets of keys issued to managers. Paul explains: "This was difficult to administer, keys went missing and then we were into the scenario of changing locks et cetera." Having decided to take a fresh look at the security provisions, Geddes did some research and then contacted Dean Hawkins of Vistec Systems in Crawley to discuss the choices.
Hawkins looked at the requirements. "The site is used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The security system needed to control three new gates as well as access to the offices and factory." To meet the access control need Hawkins recommended Net2, a PC based access control system manufactured by Paxton Access.
He comments: "I know the Paxton system well. The engineering is good, it is straightforward to install, easy to use and availability is good."
Geddes put the proposal to his board and they approved his brief. The project was given to Vistec. Geddes explains: "Vistec gave us a competitive price, are very professional and had the ability to design the systems to meet our exact requirements."
"The price was competitive"
Net2 was installed gradually; the offices and factory came on line first, followed by the gates. Hawkins says "The system has already been expanded as it became evident just how useful it is, Paul decided other areas of the buildings could benefit from access control." Net2 now controls 51 doors, 3 vehicle gates and 1 pedestrian gate on the site. Net2 also monitors all of the fire doors, they automatically unlock in the event of an alarm and the software will show an alarm event if they are opened at other times.
Geddes explained how SCA use Net2: "We have different departments set up in the software, this allows easy allocation of access rights according to the area an employee works in. There are three automatic gates onto the site. Gate 1 is the main staff entrance. This gate is used by the staff of SCA Packaging and head office, and is the only road gate their token grants them access through. Staff has to show their proximity token to enter and leave the site."
Gate 2 leads to goods in. Gate 3 is used by despatch and SCA Transport Depot. The pedestrian gate is controlled by in and out readers. All gates have an intercom system installed, which allows reception to grant access to visitors.
The factory and offices also have access controlled by the Net2 system. The large factory has several entrances. Factory staff tokens allow them access through the door nearest to their area of work. This means they do not have to cross-large areas of the factory floor where automated trolleys operate. The external factory doors are all read in/read out. In the event of an alarm a report can be produced to show who is in the factory area.
Access to some of the workshops is restricted to maintenance staff. This has given extra security to areas where expensive tools are kept. SCA offer a full in house design service for packaging and artwork. The designers work on packaging ideas and branding for customer's products. Access to the design office is restricted to design staff only.
The accounts office is restricted to accounts staff. The reception door is unlocked in normal working hours. Access is, however, restricted into the offices beyond. Without a valid access token entry cannot be gained into the main office suite. Engineering staff and senior management have access to all areas at all times.
"The software is very easy to use"
"The software is very easy to use," says Geddes. "We have several administrators who can issue cards and monitor the Net2 system. Reception issues visitor tokens, which have timed expiry and restricted access. This enables control of visitors and contractors working on site. Reception also monitors the system in office hours for alarm events. I undertook setting up departments, time zones and access levels, which I found very straightforward. Adrian Turner, our Health, Safety and Environmental Advisor, can also monitor and make changes to the system. I have now handed over day-to-day control to our Human Resources Manager, who has found it very easy to pick up."
Has the system benefited the SCA? Turner says: "It makes it easy to monitor who is on site as we have read in/read out readers on the gates and factory doors. Net2 also gives useful back up to our Time and Attendance system. Another obvious benefit is the security of staff cars in our parking areas. We used to allow night staff to park by goods in, not ideal with the lorries coming and going.
Our staff is now happy using the car park, knowing that the site is now totally secure. The access control on the locker rooms also means staff feel that their personal belongings are more secure."
"I am happy that the site is now secure at all times"
Geddes adds: "I am happy that the site is now secure at all times. The system should also save us some costs."
Vistec's Dean Hawkins is very happy with the installation. He says: "My customer is happy, which is always my primary consideration and our service department just do not get the call backs to site when using Paxton products."
