Jack Benoist, President, Benoist Supply Co., Mt. Vernon, IL has opened a new warehouse in Paducah, designed to serve its wholesale Heating & Air Conditioning customers on a 24/7/365 basis.
The customer initially signs an access agreement. After receiving their access card they enter the warehouse at the electric operated entrance gate. The customer then drives around to the loading area where they are required to first enter the building via a keypad entrance door with the code assigned them. Once the customer has entered the premises the security system is deactivated until they exit through the entrance gate. However, the system allows for more than one customer at a time to use the facilities. There is a multi-camera surveillance system that monitors and records all activities on the premises. Benoist Bros. personnel can view the surveillance system from any authorized remote network connection at any time. In case of security alarms or fire it protects customers in event something would happen between customer or allows Benoist Bros. to help customers find products or help with a solution.
After the customer has selected the products, he writes the quantity, product code, product description, serial number if available, plus customer name on a two part form. The customer then separates the two forms, one copy is his, the second is fluted by the flu machine provided and the order is transmitted to its Union City, TN branch. The faxed copy falls into a locked box drop so that other customers cannot have access to what has been purchased by a competitor. All orders are transmitted from the Union City branch to corporate headquarters, in Mt. Vernon, IL, where statements are generated, which also allows them to check the customers that entered and exited the facility within 24 hours. The camera system can be reviewed and if a problem exists the customer can be contacted. Once the last customer has left the building, the main security system is rearmed that allows it to check the overhead doors, if accidentally left open the system will shut the doors.
If power is interrupted by weather or fire, a back up power system kicks in and anyone within the building can exit with ease. Throughout the building there are fork lifts, dollies and all customers are trained in their usage.
Every customer receives a book outlinning the full operation procedures. It contains ten instruction sheets, application, forms, background checks and credit applications.
The Paducah unmanned 24/7/365 is the first by Benoist Bros. Supply Company, but the future may serve their Owensboro location as well as others in Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, & Missouri.
Kentucky Index - Volume 54, Number 8, March - April 2004
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