A new ‘single point’ supply and marketing initiative from builders’ merchants Travis Perkins aims to help main players in the social housing sector simplify procurement on a range of building products and meet Egan Report recommendations.
In conjunction with key supplier partners, including joinery producers,Travis Perkins has developed an integrated supply chain solution and set itself up as a ‘one-stop shop’ to supply the local authorities, housing associations and contractors in the public sector.
Partnering, Travis Perkins says, is the most effective way of achieving the overall objectives set out in the Egan Report ‘Rethinking Construction’ which local authorities and registered social landlords must comply with by 2003/4 in order to secure funding.
With more than 500 branches nationwide and more than 100,000 products in building, timber and materials, plumbing and heating and tool hire, Travis Perkins has formed close working relationships with key suppliers.
This has been taken a stage further with the formatioin of partnerships which Travis Perkins will manage. The partner suppliers include Jeld-Wen, producer of John Carr and Boulton & Paul joinery brands, as well as bathroom and kitchen, heating equipment, insulation and gas boiler suppliers.
Travis Perkins says there are numerous advantages to having a single point of contact. It will take total responsbility for meeting all needs, from providing stock profiles for a client’s day to day needs, a cost-effective design service for kitchens, bathrooms and central heating, electronic invoicing to save time and administration costs, just-in-time scheduled deliveries, two-hour call collect service for emergencies and dedicated contacts and a project leader to implement and oversee each project.
Supplier involvement will be at an early stage, providing key mutual benefits such as extended warranties, alternative products, range continuity, service agreements for replacement spares, tenant choice and fixed prices.
