Clearly Contacts Gets LEAN
Clearly Contacts is way ahead of the curve; implementing LEAN principles in its business, it works toward eliminating costs that do not add value to their customer's experience, increasing quality and service in the process.
Vancouver, BC (Vocus) May 22, 2009
During economic downturns, companies look for ways to reduce costs but often end up adversely affecting the quality of products and services offered. Clearly Contacts is way ahead of the curve; implementing LEAN principles in its business, it works toward eliminating costs that do not add value to their customer's experience, increasing quality and service in the process.
LEAN principles are aligned with internet retailing; after all, one website can service an entire continent, unlike costly retail storefronts. Henry Ford (founder of the Ford Motor Company) is sometimes cited as a pioneer of LEAN principles, when he employed a conveyor belt in the development of the assembly line. LEAN principles were formally developed at Toyota as they reduced operating costs and increased efficiency by focusing on what adds value from their customer's perspective and eliminating costs that do not add value.
Clearly Contacts adopted these principles as their own. Brick and mortar stores charge astronomical mark-ups on contact lenses and eyeglasses to pay for expenses such as rent of retail premises, staffing of these stores and all of the other costs associated with traditional retail operations. Clearly Contacts recognized that by offering their products online they could eliminate many of these costs and pass the savings on to their customers. It paid off; Clearly Contacts ships to150 countries across the globe, and was just ranked the 6th best health and beauty online retailer by Internet Retailer, the foremost respected e-commerce business magazine.
But LEAN isn't just about trimming away expenses - it's about re-thinking how a company works, from the ground up. LEAN requires the ongoing re-evaluation of processes to ensure that efficiency is achieved. It is recognized that a key element of this theory is a strong team of employees who are engaged and work smarter and harder because they enjoy what they do.
A few of the revolutionary changes Clearly Contacts has made in the past year such as mapping and reducing the number of steps required to complete an order fulfillment for contact lenses or manufacture a pair of eyeglasses. Another opportunity Clearly Contacts has leveraged is the speed at which employee comments or suggestions are answered and implemented, creating a culture of continuous improvement.
"We have always focused on efficiency at Clearly Contacts. Our entire purpose in the beginning was to streamline the vision care products industry and make contact lens delivery faster, simpler, and more affordable. LEAN helps us keep on top of the latest technologies and ensure that we are at the forefront of innovation. It holds us responsible to our customers and keeps their needs front of mind," stated Glen Kayll, Clearly Contacts CFO.
What's great about a LEAN company is the constant evolution, striving to perform at peak performance. Coastal Contacts and Clearly Contacts are always re-developing and fine-tuning for maximum efficiency and value.
About Clearly Contacts:
Clearly Contacts, a subsidiary of Coastal Contacts, is one of the world's fastest growing online vision care suppliers. Providing contact lenses, eyeglasses and other complimentary vision care products to consumers worldwide, Coastal Contacts is proud to provide an affordable, convenient option for high quality vision care products. With its world class operations in North America, Europe and Asia, Coastal Contacts offers a unique blend of private label and branded products to over 150 countries across the globe. Already #1 in many of its markets, Coastal is rapidly advancing toward its goal of becoming the "World's Vision Store."
For Further Information:
Jennifer Harvey
Communications Manager
Clearly Contacts Ltd.
604-669-1555 ext. 322
Jennyh (at) coastalcontacts (dot) com
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