Target Corporation, the eighth largest retailer in the United States, faced a challenge: how do we keep our stores open, all while keeping customers and employees safe in the midst of the coronavirus global pandemic? Along with social distancing, constant cleaning and masks, plexiglass barriers became an important part of that solution. So important that the UCD team has less than two weeks to design, manufacture, and deliver PPE for every single one of Target’s stores.
The Challenge
The UCD team received an RFP at 6:00 AM on March 26, 2020, requesting personal protective barriers for five different cash wrap dimensions. UCD’s bid was submitted that night and we were awarded the project for 485 stores the next day. The challenge was to site survey, procure materials, develop hardware packets, create install instructions, and begin manufacturing all in a matter of days. Site surveys revealed a significant number of discrepancies and the final package consisted of 79 different acrylic parts and 23 hardware kit versions. Our manufacturing facilities ramped up and began manufacturing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Product started rolling into trucks heading directly to Target stores on April 2, 2020. The first wave of store completion was on April 13, 2020. By April 6th, UCD was awarded another 305 stores and completed the second wave five days after the first wave was completed.
The Scope
To create all of Target’s hygiene barriers, the UCD team worked night and day to design and deliver acrylic protective barriers for five different cash wrap versions in 485 stores with critical rapid delivery. In total, UCD provided:
- 791 Target Stores
- 205 Work Orders
- 16,500 Total Hygiene Barriers with 79 unique sku’s.
- 1,010 Hardware Kits with 23 unique sku’s.
- 450,000 Individual hardware components for the hardware kits.
Prior to our PPE project, the UCD team worked with Target in early 2020 to:
- Deliver a checkout barrier rollout with over 17,000 produced and shipped in 17 days. 17 days.
- Produce a tri-fold rollout with over 19,000 produced and shipped in 30 days.
- Create a back of house desk barrier rollout with over 4,000 produced and shipped in 28 days.
- Produce a rear lane barrier rollout using both imported and in-house materials with over 11,000 produced and shipped in 69 days.
The Solution
We thank Target and all of our dedicated UCD employees that went above and beyond to keep people safe during these trying times. Target was looking at mass shutdowns if proper measures were not taken to keep our communities safe and they went the extra mile to bring this project to fruition so people could still obtain much needed food and supplies. In the midst of great stress and a global pandemic, their teams were always dedicated, poised, and an incredible group of people to work with!
We would also like to say a special THANK YOU to all of the health and hospital workers, emergency workers, and all of the essential workers who took care of all of us during this world crisis!
