When John Lewis invited Pike Textile Display to tender for the production of their range of 11 different window blind binders, several challenges had to be faced:-

• The project scale was large, covering 1500 SKUs over vertical, roller, Roman, Venetian, wood and bamboo ranges
• Cost was to be optimised
• The launch date was fixed and very soon
• The project would hit Pike at a seasonally busy time
• The specification was yet to be fully developed.

Undaunted, Pike prepared a comprehensive project timetable and resource plan based on a specification they drafted. This plan established exactly how the deadline would be achieved and set milestones for key inputs from each of 12 suppliers.
Pike produced mock-ups and worked closely with the John Lewis team and their suppliers to finalise the specification, then co-ordinated all activities to hit that critical launch date.

The task leading up to the deadline was substantial and complex, as all 11 binders were assembled simultaneously by different teams. Managing director Jon Allen observed: “We calculated that as each set of binders comprises 5,000 components, putting together 100 sets in a week was as big a job as collating half a million different playing cards back into 10,000 packs!”
All John Lewis stores launched on time and feedback from stores about the binders was very positive. The John Lewis buyer commented: “This was a complex project with a tough timescale and I’m pleased that Pike were up to the challenge and we achieved a successful result.”