Trade Show TalesBlog

Posts Tagged ‘Lead times’

Our Secret Tips to Mastering Production Lead Times

April 4th, 2025 COMMENTS
Production Lead Times at Classic Exhibits

It’s Not a Straightforward Topic

Lead times should be a straightforward topic… but they’re not. Every design in EDS has a stated lead-time, like 12-17+ Business Days — about 2-3 weeks in this case. Meaning the ship date can vary depending on when you submit your PO, your client’s artwork, and our current production schedule.

The first two are easy to understand, but the third one requires some explanation. The good news is that once you understand how our production schedule works, then you’ll know how to ask us about your project’s lead time.

Order Wall in Production

Our Production Schedule Count

Every order is assigned a production count, ranging from 1 to 450 units. Those units are like balls in a big tube. Once we fill that tube, then (technically) that’s it for the day. In reality, we have some days that overflow the tube, and there are other days when the tube may only be half or a quarter full. It’s the job of a PM to work with Production to find a balance by looking for unfilled days to minimize daily production swings.

However, lead times don’t always fit a tidy schedule. Sometimes you need less time or even a specific date. When you do, the next step is to ask us… but knowing how to ask your question is critical.

Details Really Do Matter

Forklift

NEVER “just” ask about our current lead times. Frankly, that’s not helpful. Instead, ask about a specific design, quote, or kit along with any details. It’s the details that REALLY MATTER. That allows the PM to check the production schedule, consult with the Customer Service Manager, or ask the Production Manager about any flexibility in the schedule. For example, a SYK-1034 Symphony wouldn’t negatively impact the schedule, even on a mostly full day.

We ALWAYS want your order and will make every effort to accept it. Sometimes it’s not possible or will require rush charges. But asking and providing details should be your first step when in doubt. We’ll do our best to make it happen!  

Who We Are

For over 30 years, Classic Exhibits has been designing and building creative custom solutions for our Distributor Partners and their clients. As North America’s largest private-label exhibit manufacturer, we have the unmatched capability, capacity, and creativity to create 3D projects ranging from 10 x 10 inline displays to 60 x 80 double-deck islands. 

Find success on the trade show floor with an exhibit that reflects your marketing message. For more information, see www.classicexhibits.com and explore Exhibit Design Search or request a meeting with a Classic Distributor Partner.

Shorter Production Lead Times on ALL ORDERS

December 12th, 2022 COMMENTS

Happy Holidays All!

It was great seeing so many of you last week at EDPA ACCESS in San Antonio. I am not sure if you felt the same, but the connectedness of the industry and the renewed strength of our community was energizing!

In Design Monday last week, we mentioned our improved production schedule. As supply chain issues have dwindled, Classic has reverted to our pre-pandemic lead times. In many cases, we’ve shaved nearly a week off some kits in EDS.

However, not all challenges are gone. We continue to hire at Classic and while that jar seems to have loosened, it will take time to find the ideal employees. We’re still very picky when it comes to adding folks to our close-knit family. But even with that, HUGE KUDOS to our Production, Customer Service, and Design Teams in new builds and rentals. They have done an amazing job getting us fully prepared for the coming mayhem that is always Q1.

Assigning Orders Based on Size/Complexity

A big part of the shorter lead-times is our ability to turnaround orders more efficiently. Every order is assigned points based on the size and complexity. These points feed into our Production Schedule, which is reviewed by Production and Customer Service.

So, if you see a 10-15+ business day lead time for example, ask your PM what the current timeline is based on this schedule. It may be 10, 12, or 15 days based on the Production Schedule. Once we lock your order into a date, its locked assuming your client gets us graphic files on time (like they always do 😊).

As we continue to rebound as an industry, I want to extend our thanks for your partnership.

Look for our Annual State of Company Letter in early January with much more exciting news to share.

Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Kevin Carty
EVP, Classic Exhibits Inc.

Word on the Street — September 14th thru September 18th

September 19th, 2009 COMMENTS

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Where Have All the Turnaround Times Gone?

Of course, I say this partially in jest, but boy isn’t it true right now?!?

And please don’t get me wrong. Like you, we are delighted to have the business. As many of you have shared with me this week, everyone is ordering much later this year.

Every morning at Classic, we hold a 15 minute Lead Meeting. It is designed to give the Production Leads and the Purchasing, Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service Managers a quick review of the day’s business as well as an opportunity to look ahead at upcoming orders, quotes, and purchasing requests.

We use our Shipping Report as our guide in these 15 minute morning meetings. So naturally, I review it before the meeting begins. It looks much different these days than it did this time last year.

As many of you know, Classic Exhibits already has the fastest lead times in the industry, so we are used to being nimble when it comes to your client’s “unrealistic” requests. One of the ideals we adhere to in Production is:  “Do enough of tomorrow’s work today, so that when tomorrow goes to hell or someone has a rush need, we are prepared to handle it.”

Sometimes even I forget these basic ideals. But I am always amazed by how our Production and Customer Service teams live by them. Looking at the Shipping Report this week, I have seen everything from 10 x 10 Visionary Designs Custom Hybrids with 4 day turnaround times to a Euro LT 20 x 30 Island that has to deliver in 8 days. It’s crazy! And yet . . .

We make it happen!

Now, to be fair to our Project Management and Production team, this is not a invitation to hammer our lead times.  We do everything we can to meet your requests, which you already know, but when we say, “Sorry” which is very, very rare, or when we add rush charges, you know those are real and not arbitrary.

That said, we are very happy to have the business and even happier to see Classic Distributors busy. 

Have a safe and restful weekend.

Be Well!

–Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a