Drawer slide reliability: why Checkmark uses Accuride slides in their checkout counters since 1995

Based in Finland, Oy Checkmark Ltd is a leading manufacturer of checkouts and checkout-area equipment and since 1993 has delivered more than 25,000 checkout counters to retail stores across Northern Europe.

In 1995 Checkmark approached Carlo Casagrande in Finland to discuss how telescopic drawer slides could be incorporated into the checkout counter design. Important issues included ease of installation of the slide during the manufacturing process and the reliability of the product during use.

Carlo and Accuride were able to recommend a bayonet fixing to speed up the slide installation and to set up a supply chain to ensure uninterrupted shipments.

Accuride makes and ships the slides in bulk to Carlo in Finland who then stores them to ensure at least a year's worth of stock is available. Checkmark can then call off smaller batches as and when required.

The number of checkout counters and cash register systems, as well as the need for storage, varies greatly. Ergonomic design and correct placement improve the stores' customer service, and satisfaction and efficiency among the staff. Ongoing maintenance of the counters to ensure uninterrupted service is also important. A strong co-operation

with a local supplier such as Carlo Casagrande is key to maintaining Checkmark's reputation in this market.

Flexibility of service coupled with the robust and reliable drawer slide has made this particular partnership a strong and long lasting one. Now, when Checkmark designs new counters the company automatically comes to Carlo to discuss which of the huge range of Accuride slides could be incorporated.