Specialists in Carpentry, Passive Fire & Brickwork Supplies

11

Oct

October 2023 Portal Updates

The Multifix Customer Portal Multifix strives to continually build and improve our Customer Portal to ensure your procurement is an easy and simple process. Our quotation process is improving. Here's what that will mean for you: All quotations and order acknowledgments will now be automatically sent through email. The 'View Quote' button will then take you to your quote within our Customer Portal. Note that if you are the company admin, you will see all company quotes. If you do not have a Customer Portal account, you will be able to view the quotations and order acknowledgments but you will not be able to do anything further. Sign up to the Customer Portal now for full access. As seen to the left, you are then taken to your quote. At the bottom of each quote will be 3 buttons. Reject Quote: This will then pop up a quick message asking the reasons for rejection. Save For Later: This will save your quote so you can place it another time. Edit & Confirm Quote: This will allow you to add or take items off your order and place your order once you are happy. You can also add a comment under the 'Comments' section where you can ask any questions or queries which will go straight to our Sales team. Watch the video below for the step-by-step run-through. What else has improved? You can now set a spend limit for each user within your organisation. This means, if a user puts through an order over the spend limit, the pop-up to the left will show. You can then click the 'Create Requisition' button which will send a requisition request to the account administrator for approval. Note: Spend limit is set within the user permission of each user. Requisitions have to be enabled on each user for this to work. To set up spend limits, watch the video below: Lastly, for our mobile users on the Portal, our footer has changed. Your footer will now contain short cuts to the most used items from our Portal interface

27

Oct

The two main factors impacting on-site wastage

Wastage is a problem that has consistently plagued carpenters and keeping a lid on it can be tricky. In fact, if you’re working on a large project with 250 people, it can be very tricky. Here’s a stat for you. As per our sales data for Q1 and 2 for 2023, 33% of a carpenter’s fixings spend on average is on nails. Whether it’s Paslode or Fischer, a third of your fixing spending will be on nails to get the job done. However, nails are also one of the biggest reasons for on-site wastage. This happens when half-full boxes are left in the rain, or strips of nails are just left on the floor. Knowing you have to spend more than planned to replace those products can be infuriating. As such, we have spoken to you about the problems faced in the field and have compiled an article outlining the two biggest examples of waste. While we may not have the perfect solution ourselves to fix these examples, we’ll offer helpful advice to cut your wastage percentage down. We may also have a few possible solutions ourselves. As and when we feel appropriate, we will suggest something that we offer that we feel could help. Problem one – nails As mentioned above, nails are a huge potential contributing factor to waste on site. To help you visualise this, we’ll use the example of boxes being left out in the rain or seeing strips spread over the floor. If half a box is left lying on the floor or out in the rain, assuming a full box has a list price between £72-80, that’ll cost you around £35-40. Now, to some, that might make you go, “oh that’s not too bad. Just a round at the pub, I can deal with that.” Now apply that scenario to every box, where half of it is unusable for various different reasons. And picture that the overall fixings cost of the project was £100k. Out of that £100k, £33k would’ve been spent on nails, as per our data. If half of that has been wasted, you’ve essentially launched £16,500 into a bonfire. Not such a small sum now, is it? It’s worth noting that nail wastage is much easier to control on smaller sites and smaller projects, where there are fewer of you. The accountability level is much higher, as there are fewer people to manage. With a bigger project, however, it can be very difficult to keep track. Unsurprisingly then, this is when you’re most likely to see nail wastage. Solutions There are a few solutions, but sadly they are rather vague. Suggesting things like ‘only order what you need’ falls flat in the event someone misplaces a box of nails and you have to order a replacement anyway. That being said, it would allow a layer of accountability – even on a bigger project – as you’d likely know exactly who has the box. One possible idea is to have a QR code on everything and scan each item in and out with your phone. Some apps, such as PlanRadar or QR Tiger, could be a solution for you. The caveat to that is that it’s another cost and it would take some time to put a QR code on every product. However, if the pricing options cost less than what you’re frequently losing, it could be worth the time and outlay. Problem two – inventory shrinkage It’s a hugely difficult topic to discuss, but unfortunately, one that does happen with some regularity. Much like nail wastage, this is much more pertinent on bigger projects, but it remains a big issue. Generally speaking, out of a spend for a project, 95% will go towards labour. If you’re managing 10 people, the opportunity for shrinkage is naturally a lot lower, as there’s more accountability. However, as mentioned, the issues arise on bigger projects, when there are say, 250 people. These people aren’t necessarily loyal to your company, so some won’t have many issues taking items home and using them for other jobs. Naturally, this comes at a financial cost to you. Not only will you have to order things again, which can include very expensive products, but you likely won’t have any idea who has taken them. As such, shrinkage is a huge issue and one that can be especially detrimental to your budget. Solution Unlike nail wastage, there is more that can be done to limit shrinkage. The QR code option is also a possibility, but there are also other methods that can prevent things from being stolen. One possible solution is our customer portal. With the portal, we have a number of options that can limit the possibility of shrinkage. For a start, requisition orders can be policed or controlled by someone in the office. This then allows the Senior Manager to sign off, rather than letting site workers just order what they want on your card. You can also edit requisition requests, which prevents over-ordering and allows you to spot those who could be doing it. The portal also has a start and end date for your project, so you can mentally know how much should be spent around that sort of time. We can also provide you with detailed, monthly reporting on your spending. This allows you to see what’s being spent to the penny, so if there is anything odd, you can spot it and act accordingly. All of this contributes towards shrinkage as it gives you more control over what is being spent. With that, you can then hold your team to account more if something goes missing. Dealing with on-site wastage Managing these two problems can be very difficult. Even when putting in the most stringent of countermeasures, they can still happen. We know site managers fine those who contribute to wastage and fire those who contribute towards shrinkage, but it’s difficult. While we don’t have all the answers, we do believe that the portal can help you keep a firmer grip to prevent both. To find out more about the portal and what it can offer, you can read this article. Equally, if you would like to speak to one of our expert team to talk through the portal in more depth, you can do so here.

08

Dec

What are Multifix’s customer commitments?

Every company in the world has a set of core values. Values that define them, values that inspire them, values that they stick to, no matter what. We see this all the time in construction with people pledging to do the best possible job or to go above and beyond for you. Core values, pillars, customer commitments – they all fall under the same bracket. But what are our customer commitments? What do we do that makes us stand out for you, as a buyer? What are the things we value most that are designed to help you? Why should you use us? In this article, we will highlight our key customer values as a company and explain why we have them in place and how we have put your best interests at the heart of them. Come the end of it, you’ll hopefully know exactly where we stand and what we can do for you as a construction specialist. Speed The saying goes that time is money and in construction, that is certainly the case. Things need to be done yesterday in some instances, with demands and expectations very high. As such, one of our customer commitments is that we will always handle your order with the speed it needs. Indeed, one of our pledges is that you will have a quote within 30 minutes of asking. We don’t want you standing around waiting, while you’re losing money because things aren’t in place for you to get the job done. In addition, 75% of our own-van deliveries will be on-site before 12pm midday. In some cases, the order may even be there before you arrive! Speed is also one of the reasons why our customer portal is set up the way it is. It is possible to get an order over to us within 30 seconds by using the portal, which can be done if you have favourite items set up. Reliability As much as we pledge to be fast, there’s no point being speedy if we aren’t reliable. We allow you to order quickly, because we know we can back it up with reliability. We say this because 99.3% of our own-van deliveries arrive on time. We have worked extremely hard to achieve that percentage and while it may be impossible to get 100%, we won’t stop trying. Incorrect or late deliveries are the bane of your life, so we do our utmost to get them to you, when we say we’re going to get them to you. We also put in a number of other reliability measures when delivering, too. Our drivers will ring you when they are 10 minutes out, so you know exactly when your parcel is arriving. Also, by using the customer portal, you can track your delivery and see exactly where your order is. We also insist on a signature for every delivery, so there’s no leaving it on the side and hoping for the best. Following that, we will also take a picture of the delivery, so you can see exactly where it is and have proof of delivery in the process. If you’re not reliable, then you can’t be trusted – hence why it is one of our customer commitments to be as reliable as possible. Personal service As humans, we want to be treated like a person. We don’t want to feel like a number, or just a customer. It’s impersonal, it can be rude and it doesn’t strike as good service. That’s why personal service is one of our customer commitments. Small things go a long way; for example, we’ll always remember your name. We’ll ask about your hobbies and interests and try to get to know you. We want you to feel valued and looked after, so that you stick with us. Our customer service team are all very friendly and incredibly knowledgeable, being able to offer an expert view on matters. Having that level of knowledge is extremely helpful, which is especially the case for you. The reason we say this is because the chances of you getting an incorrect item on an order are very slim. It is very frustrating when you call up and explain what you need, only to get the wrong product. By making personal service a priority, we have done our very best to limit that. Control Finally, our last customer commitment is that we want to give you control. We want you to come to us in full confidence knowing that you’re in charge of the situation at hand. This is also one of the reasons why the portal is set up the way it is. In the portal, you can set up an approved products list, which limits what people can order. You can also set up requisitions too, so you have full sign-off on anything that comes through to us. These tools are very helpful in allowing you to budget, so you only spend what you need to. We don’t want to accept orders that aren’t needed or will put you over budget. It would be easy for us to turn a blind eye to these incidents, but we want what is best for you. As such, by allowing you control, you have the final say over everything. Putting you at the forefront We believe having values is important, as like we said earlier, it’s effectively giving your word to people. How you treat people is hugely important and something we feel very strongly about, so that is why our four customer commitments have you front and centre of them all. We believe that by putting you first, you can have something that is better for you on a personal level, as well as on a professional level. If you would like to find out more about Multifix and how we can be of service to you, then you can get in touch with us by following this link.

01

Nov

Does Protecta have tested details for using graphite on the FR Board?

When working with firestopping at any point, you will only be using products that have been regulated for the project at hand. This is for safety above all else, but it does mean that you have enquiries as to what is approved and what isn’t for certain tasks. One of our more recent queries relates to the Protecta FR Graphite and whether it has tested details for use with the FR Board. The answer to that question isn’t quite as cut and dry as you’d maybe hope. In short, it has tested details for use with metal and copper pipes, but it doesn’t yet for plastic pipes. For those unaware, a tested detail is a certification that demonstrates the product is safe to be used for firestopping. In this article, we will fully explore the answer and explain the situation, what Protecta are doing about it and what could come next. It is also worth noting that we are partners with Protecta, but will remain objective. What exactly is FR Graphite and why is this important? Protecta’s FR Graphite is a firestopping solution that goes around pipes. The graphite expands to 40x its original size in the event of a fire, which effectively cuts off the pipe supply. This, in turn, protects you, as it stops smoke from coming through the pipe. The tested details for use with the FR Board are important as the graphite can be used with all types of pipes within walls. This includes cPVC (plastic), metal and copper pipes. In fact, graphite is advised for such projects. As such, some may understandably assume that graphite is fine for dealing with pipes within an FR board. However, that is not necessarily the case. Why can’t I use FR Graphite on cPVC pipes in an FR Board? The simple answer is that Protecta hasn’t found a way to get a tested detail yet. However, given recent events, it might not be too much longer until they do. In August 2023, Protecta revealed that they had found a way for the graphite to be used with “penetrating insulated metal pipes” with the FR board. According to Protecta, the EI fire rating varies depending on the type of insulation used, the diameter and the type of pipe. The EI fire rating itself judges integrity and insulation. So, while plastic, or cPVC, pipes currently aren’t compatible with the graphite, metal and copper pipes are. Is there a set date when this might change? At this moment in time, there is not. However, as mentioned above and given how frequently Protecta upgrades its own products, it’s likely on their agenda. Protecta constantly seeks to improve and upgrade its products, be it from a functionality standpoint or from a technical one; i.e., new ratings. Given the Protecta technical team will have likely been fielding the same enquiry, there’s a good chance they’re already working on ways to achieve the assessment detail. As mentioned though, there is currently no estimated time as to when this might happen, so it’s important for you to factor that in when purchasing. Is there anything else I need to know? Not at this moment in time, no. Hopefully, though, you’ll at least be more aware as to why you can’t use the FR Graphite with an FR board for a cPVC pipe yet. However, if something is to change, then we will update this article accordingly and inform you. Given the way Protecta operate, it may be sooner rather than later! If you would like to speak to a member of our expert team to discuss the FR Graphite or the Protecta range, you can get in touch with us here. Alternatively, if you would like to see why Multifix has partnered with Protecta, you can read this article to find out more.

08

Dec

Is cost the key factor for your supplier?

When it comes to buying, there is always one thing we want to know – how much it costs. This could be for anything; it could be shopping at a supermarket, it could be buying something off Amazon, or it could be weighing up how much a round at the pub will set you back. And in today’s society, with a cost of living crisis, cost normally wins. Let’s take the pub as an example and imagine you’re in London. Are you more likely to spend £8.50 on a pint, or find a nearby Wetherspoons and get the same thing for £5? No-one likes being ripped off and everyone likes getting value for their money. This is especially the case in construction, where every penny needs to count. This puts us in a somewhat strange situation. We know that we aren’t always going to be the cheapest supplier in the market, after all. However, is cost really the be all and end all? In this article, we will look at whether cost always wins, or whether it can be worth paying a little extra in certain situations. After all, in some circumstances, it can be better to pay a little more initially than to avoid paying double in the long run. Does paying less guarantee you a good delivery? Aside from cost, the next most important thing for a buyer is delivery. When will it turn up, will it turn up when I’m told it will and will it be delivered safely? One of the reasons why we maybe aren’t the cheapest is because of our delivery services. We have a fleet of vans, which are operated by our own drivers and the results show we’re onto something good. Our delivery success rate is 99.3% for own-van deliveries, while 75% of our own-van deliveries are delivered before 12pm midday. We understand that without deliveries arriving when stated, issues arise. Costs grow, projects can get delayed and the inconvenience can really hit you in the pocket. No-one wants that. As such, if you’ve found something cheaper, be sure to check what the delivery service is like. If it’s unreliable and you end up losing money as a result, it may be worth paying the extra to ensure your order gets there. Does paying less guarantee you product quality? At Multifix, we are very proud to be in partnership with a number of outstanding brands. These include Paslode, Protecta, Visqueen, Ancon, Bosch and many others. These brands are synonymous with quality and have proven over many years that their products turn a good job well done into a great job well done. Now, if you can get products of this quality for a better price, then that’s completely fair enough. Ultimately, we want what is best for you. However, if you are buying products on the basis that they are cheaper, then it may be wise to reconsider. This is especially the case in brickwork, where poorly manufactured products can have disastrous consequences. If the products you’re buying are alarmingly cheap, there’s likely a good reason for that. In construction, more often than not, you get what you pay for when it comes to products. Does paying less guarantee you customer service? Let’s say that you’ve found a supplier that can do your goods for you at a cheap price. You go to call up over the phone and explain what you’re after in vague terms, which as we know, have become industry standard. Unfortunately for you, when your order arrives, it’s not what you asked for. The person at the end of the phone didn’t fully understand what you wanted, so you need to send it back and order again. Or let’s say your order hasn’t arrived as planned. You want to check where your delivery is, go to phone and all they can say is that it’s on its way, with nothing further to reassure you. Getting hold of people is imperative and essential, as you never know what is going to happen. And when you get through to these people, it’s important they know their stuff. That is why we focus so heavily on our customer service team, who constantly have training to make sure their product knowledge is as extensive as you need it to be. They also have the ability to track your order as well, so you’ll be able to find out exactly where your delivery is and when it will show up. The reason we do this is because you never know when you need someone to physically speak to. If a cheaper supplier can’t provide you with adequate customer service, it won’t be worth the bargain. Weighing up the finances We all love a bargain. However, as the saying goes, if something is too good to be true, there’s a good chance it is. As such, while cost may well be the number one priority, you should weigh that up against what you’re getting for your money. If you’re getting a product cheap, but don’t know if it’ll turn up on time or even be good enough for the task at hand, then it’s always worth spending extra. To find out more about Multifix and the pricing options we have available, you can get in touch with us here.

30

Nov

Why it’s crucial to obtain recommendations in the construction industry

One of the main reasons we are still going strong after 30 years is because we have valued clients who trust us. And gaining trust in the construction industry isn’t a given, it’s something we deeply appreciate. Trust is crucial because without it, relationships crumble. If you feel you can’t trust your supplier to be reliable or to deliver good products, then you’ll be looking elsewhere. So, why do people trust us at Multifix? It’s a difficult question for us to answer, as we can’t speak for other people and their experiences. However, there are a few things that we do as a company that may explain why we are fortunate enough to be trusted. In this article, we will highlight three of the things we think have led to this. Without the three things we’re going to mention, we’re not sure we would’ve gained your trust. We are reliable It can be very easy for a company to declare that they are reliable, but it’s how they back it up that matters. Talk is cheap, after all. We believe that we can back our claim up. 99.3% of our deliveries that we make, through our fleet of vans, turn up when we say they are going to. In addition, 75% of those orders are at your door before 12pm midday. Also, through our customer portal, you have the ability to track every order that we send out. This means you can be kept fully up to speed when your order is on the go. We also take picture proof of every successful delivery, while also requiring a signature upon arrival. This means that you can rest assured your parcel is in good hands and not just left somewhere. The reason why we do all of this is because we know how much late or incorrect deliveries can hamper you. They cause backlogs, they can hit you in the pocket and they are a nightmare. As such, we take several measures to ensure that you get what you’ve ordered on the day we’ve agreed to deliver it to you. We care about you Again, this is a statement that most companies will proudly make and stand behind. But whether they can prove that is another matter. As with our reliability claim, we believe that we can prove this. Relationships are so crucial to this industry and we work exceptionally hard to grow ours. We have a dedicated, experienced and caring customer service team, who are always available during the working day and are always happy to help. They have extensive product knowledge, so the chances of you getting the wrong product is very slim. Meanwhile, our account managers are all very personable and will take the time to get to know you. Things that might not seem like a big deal, such as remembering your name and what interests you, go a long way. If you’re happy with the service you’re getting, you’re going to want to come back. It’s the same with anything, from restaurants to construction suppliers. Our team will go out of their way to make sure you’re treated as a person and not as a number. They want to get to know you, they want to give you the best service possible and they want to help. We give power and control to you One common bugbear is that some of you have found your budget being drained because of a lack of control over site procurement. Site staff ordering things without your consent or over-ordering are both huge problems and can have big ramifications for you. However, we aren’t just happy to sit and take your money in these situations. Other companies might be, as to them it just may be another order and money in the bank, but we want the very best for you. That’s why we have given you the option to take the power back over site procurement. With Multifix, you have the ability to control what your team can order. You can set up a list of approved products via the portal, which completely limits what your staff can order. This means they’ll only be able to request products you know are needed. In addition, you can set up requisitions. This allows you to review orders before they are placed, so you have full control over how your budget is spent. If you are not using the portal or don’t wish to, you can still do this. All you have to do is give us a ring and explain what items/brands you want to be unavailable for your team and we will action that. When you shop with Multifix, we want you to only be getting what you need. By giving you the option for full control over procurement, we hope that ensures it. Putting you first for three decades and counting There is a very common theme with all three of the points that we have listed; that we put you first and foremost in our plans. We know that late or missed deliveries can cause chaos, so we do all we can to ensure they get there on time. We know that people like to be valued, so we want our staff to be personable. Finally, we know that people want to control their spend, which is why we tailored the portal around you. As we said at the start of the article, we can’t speak for other people and why they trust us. But, we feel these things are all crucial factors. However, please don’t just take our word for it. If you would like to see some of our customer testimonials, including from clients such as the All England Group and RK Joinery, then you can watch those here.

26

Oct

Is Multifix the right fit for you?

In the world of construction, it’s very important that you have a supplier whom you can trust, who is reliable and who understands your needs. After all, not having the right construction supplier can lead to many problems. Above all else, it can be hugely detrimental to your work. Not having items turn up on time – or at all – can be costly, in more ways than one. At Multifix, that is where we step in. With speed, reliability and a personal touch at the heart of what we do, we have been supplying the construction industry for 30 years and counting. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that we are right for you. Obviously, as a business first and foremost, we love having new customers onboard to supply the products for their projects. We love helping new people, seeing the progress you make and knowing we’ve been a small part of that along the way. But, we don’t cater for everyone. There was a time when Multifix tried to service nearly every sector, but we found we couldn’t provide the best service by spreading ourselves so thinly. Now we are more focused and can really tailor our solutions to our customers’ needs. With that in mind then, here is an explanation of who we believe we’re a good fit for and who we aren’t. Who is a GOOD fit for Multifix? If you’re a: specialist carpentry, brickwork, or firestopping or refurbishment contractor then we absolutely can help you with whatever you need. This is especially the case with the three mentioned. Whether it’s first and second-fix carpenters or housebuilders, our products and service can be a great asset for you and your company. When it comes to carpentry, brickwork and passive fire, we specialise in these sectors. We have dedicated teams allocated to each industry to help you not only get the best service, but the best products for the job. If you work in refurbishment, we don’t cover that as broadly, but we still do have speciality areas we can provide for. The reason why we don’t cover it in as much depth is because we don’t have the product range for it. If you’re based in London or the south-east especially, we really can be of use. We have a 5pm cut-off time for our own van next-day delivery, with a fleet of our own drivers nearby to get your goods to you quickly. If it’s outside of our reach and going nationwide, it’s a 4pm cut-off time and we will send a courier. You can see a full breakdown of where we deliver to here. Who is a BAD fit for Multifix? The short answer would be anyone that hasn’t been mentioned, as we don’t stock the specialist range of products the sectors need to complete projects. However, that is a slightly flawed response, as while we don’t have a full range of stock for the other sectors, we do still supply some products of note. One exception to this though, is mechanical and electrical. We simply don’t have the correct range of stock for that sector, as we’ve discontinued many of our mechanical and electrical product lines, so we are not a good fit for companies in that realm. When it comes to groundwork contractors or RC frame workers, we also don’t have the range. We do offer resins and basic hand tools, but we don’t supply much more beyond that for that industry. It’s a similar story with management-only main contractors. We do supply a wide range of PPE, which you can find out more about here, but the clothes and helmets are all unbranded. When it comes to clothing, we only offer non-branded items of PPE. The only slight exception to the rule is with the dry-lining sector. Unlike the others mentioned, we do have a wide range of fixings available for dry lining. We don’t have the more specialist items, but we do have a strong supply of dry-lining fixings. We also stock some metalwork, but the caveat to that is that, much like the PPE, it’s all unbranded. We also don’t stock British Gypsum, which we know can be a deal-breaker with the dry-lining sector. Factoring in everything, we are perhaps more of a partial fit for dry-lining, but not quite a round peg in a round hole. Making sure Multifix is right for you One of the main points of this article is that we don’t want to let you down. We don’t want you to waste your time asking us for products we don’t stock, for sectors we don’t cater for. It may mean we get fewer calls or emails as a result. However, if it means the ones coming in are from people who know we’re a good fit for them, that’s in everyone’s best interests. We take great pride in what we have achieved in the carpentry, brickwork and passive fire sectors, in addition to refurbishment. If you would like to browse our range, you can do so here. Equally, if you wish to speak to one of our expert teams about an upcoming project or anything else, you can do so here.

17

Oct

Why does Protecta FR Acrylic cost more?

When it comes to passive fire protection, the product price isn’t the be-all and end-all. The main thing that matters is safety, which you can’t put a price on. However, if you can get a product that can keep people safe for cheaper, we understand this is a path you’re likely to take. But, if you can get all the standards and proven quality, we believe that is worth a bit extra. That is why Multifix stocks Protecta’s FR Acrylic as, even though it costs more, we believe it’s worth it. Why do we believe it’s worth it, though? Why is the higher price justified? Why shouldn’t you just go with a cheaper option that does the same thing and is as safe? Those are some of the questions that we’ll be looking to cover in this article. We’ll explain why we value it the way we do, what it’s capable of and why it might be right for you. What is the price of Protecta FR acrylic? There are two versions of the Protecta FR Acrylic that we sell. The first is the FR Acrylic 310ml Cart 4Hr Intumescent Sealant, which has a list price of £3.06 ex. VAT. The second is the FR Acrylic 310ml Cart 4Hr Intumescent Pure White, which has a list price of £4.06 ex. VAT. The difference between the two is that the cheaper one is off-white, whereas the more expensive one is pure white. The pure white one is a better fit if cosmetics are a factor, as it’s not as obvious on the surface. Aside from that, it’s the same product. In addition, we also sell two foils to complement the FR Acrylic. The Eco-Foil is designed to reduce waste on-site, as you simply put the foils into the empty cartridges. Multifix stocks the 300ml and 600ml foils, which have list prices of £2.77 and £4.51 respectively, ex. VAT. How much more expensive are FR Acrylics compared to competitors? The answer ranges from a little bit, to quite a bit. The list price of the Quelfire QuelStop 310ml costs £2.95 ex. VAT, while the Nullifire FS702 310ml list price is £3.35 ex. VAT. Meanwhile, the FSi Pyrocoustic 310ml has a list price of £2.15 ex. VAT. Equally, the Pyroplex Intumescent Acrylic Sealant costs £2.09 ex. VAT and the FS4 Fireshield AC Intumescent Acrylic costs £1.94 ex. VAT. It is worth noting that we do not stock any of these products. As such then, only one of the five mentioned is more expensive than the FR Acrylic, while none cost more than the FR Acrylic in white. Why is the FR Acrylic more expensive? There are two reasons why Protecta’s FR Acrylic is more expensive: It isn’t just exclusively used for non-combustible pipes, as it can also be used for cable bundles It can be used in pipes up to 32mm diameter The first point is arguably ample reason as is, given the versatility aspects can really help you when firestopping. However, it is the second point where the FR Acrylic really earns its value. Whether non-combustible or combustible, FR Acrylic be used on pipes up to 32mm in diameter. This is a notable difference as none of the competitors listed can go to 32mm pipe diameter. Acrylics are suited for 10-30mm openings and for anything above 30mm, you would normally have to use graphite instead. Graphite is more expensive than acrylics; for context, a 310ml cartridge of FR Graphite from Protecta costs £6.04 ex. VAT. Therefore, if you have a diameter space that the acrylic can fill instead of graphite, you’ll save yourself a lot of money in the long run. Is there anything else that makes it more expensive? Yes – the movement it offers. The QuelStop and Pyroplex can allow a maximum movement capability of 7.5%, but the FR Acrylic goes further and offers you 12.5%. The maximum movement capability is how much the sealant will expand in the event of a fire before cracking. The more it can expand, the better it can protect you, so to be 5% up on competitor products is huge. It has also been independently verified for use with cPVC pipes, such as the Blazemaster. It isn’t on the Lubrizol-approved list but is still cleared for use. Is there anything another product can do better? In the balance of fairness, we will highlight a few areas where other products have something of an advantage over the FR Acrylic. The most notable one is the gaps for linear joints, whether they’re concrete or gypsum board. The FR Acrylic has a maximum width of 30mm; any wider than that and the product can crack and shrink. By comparison, the QuelStop is suitable for linear joints up to 50mm wide when it comes to concrete to concrete, steel or softwood. However, it only goes to 20mm wide for a gypsum board with a steelhead track. The FSi Pyrocoustic eclipses both as it also goes to 50mm wide gaps for linear joints but for all materials. Finally, when it comes to acoustic protection, there’s very little in it. That being said, while the FR Acrylic can offer acoustic protection of Rw 62 dB, both the QuelStop and the FSi Pyrocoustic can offer up to Rw 63 dB. Is the FR Acrylic worth the extra then? As we said at the start of the article, we do believe so. The extra 5% manoeuvrability is a big plus, but being able to use it for diameter gaps up to 32mm is huge. Also, the fact it can be used with cPVC pipes isn’t to be dismissed. When the alternative is graphite, the FR Acrylic is a cheaper option in the long run. The maximum width of 30mm for linear joints can be an issue, but considering everything, you’ll get your money’s worth with the FR Acrylic. You also get a lot of technical support with the FR Acrylic as well. To find out more about the technical support and what you should be looking for with it, read this article.

17

Nov

How to get the most out of your Multifix trial

If you are reading this article, you have likely agreed to start a trial period with Multifix. Naturally, this is great news and we want you to know that we are here for you. Our designated customer service team and account managers will be in constant dialogue with you, of course, but we really want you to fully maximise your trial with us. Of course, we’ll be putting in the work behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly for you. That goes without saying. However, there are a couple of things you can do to really get the very most out of your service with us, which is ultimately what we want. In this article, we will highlight these things and explain how they can really give you that full Multifix experience. Make the most of the portal onboarding guides There is a good possibility that when agreeing to trial with Multifix, you would rather conduct your business with us over the phone, or by email. Of course, that is absolutely fine. If that is the case, then we will of course work with you on that and you can maybe disregard this bit. If you are looking to do the bulk of your ordering online though, then you are going to want to become good friends with our customer portal. Here, you can do a whole variety of things, including setting up requisitions, tracking your order and making a list of approved items for your team. However, before diving in headfirst, it is wise to look at our portal onboarding guides, so that when you do opt for the portal, you are fully prepared. We have three different portal onboarding guides, depending on what your role is. There is one for super users and office managers, one for site managers and one for site operatives. As all of these types of users have different permissions, it’s important to get to grips with the guide that is best suited for you. That way, when it does come to using the customer portal, you’ll know what to do, what you can and can’t do and how to get things up and running. Get to know the team Whether you’re using the portal or not, one thing we really value here at Multifix is relationships. We want to get to know you on a first-name basis and we want to know about you. This is because if we have a relationship with you, it just makes everything easier. Our customer service team and account managers are always polite and courteous anyway, but getting to know you better just makes everything smoother. You will have a dedicated customer service agent and an account manager to contact as standard, but these people are all extremely personable. We believe that if you are made to feel valued and have people who genuinely care about you and your business, your experience is going to be a lot happier. No-one likes being treated like a number, which is something we go out of our way to avoid making you feel like. It’s cold, it’s impersonal and it can be very off-putting. We take a lot of pride in our customer service and how we treat our clients, so getting to know those working with you will help you get the full Multifix experience. Extracting the most from your trial Once your trial period with us is up, we want to have given you the best possible service so that you stay with us afterwards. But regardless of that, we want you to have the full Multifix experience when you commit to a trial period with us. With these two tips, you should be able to have that full experience during your trial period, which we hope will lead to a longer relationship. After your trial period will be a trial review meeting. You can find out what happens at that trial review meeting here.

10

Nov

Three issues of working in the winter months – and how to fix them

Working in the winter is never fun. You’re leaving for work when it’s dark, coming home when it’s dark and the British weather is just a nightmare. It’s cold, it’s wet, it’s windy and the halcyon days of British Summer Time feel a world away. If you’re working on a site, all of this is amplified by 100. It’s one thing dealing with the above issues when you’re working indoors, but it’s a different beast entirely when you’re tasked with construction. Sadly, it is impossible to mitigate all of the issues of working in the winter months fully, however, there are a few things you can do to help. Most of these solutions come from external heat and light. No-one can control the weather or get Mother Nature to turn the thermostat back up, so having these appliances on a site will help. In the interest if objectivity, we will state now that we supply both external heat and light options. However, that is not why we are writing this article. In this article, we have picked three of the key problems when working in the British winter. In addition, we have suggested some solutions to combat them. Problem one – safety issues People tripping over things or slipping over can happen at the best of times, of course, but incidents are more likely in the winter. With snow, rain and ice playing a part as the temperature gets colder, it’s little wonder the risks are much higher. No-one wants to suffer an injury from slipping over. As such, it’s naturally very important to ensure that the area is kept as safe as possible. One way of dealing with this is by having external light sources, so people can clearly see where slip areas are. Ironically, this can cause another potential slip risk with the cables, but having a well-lit area should be of the utmost importance. Visibility is key to construction sites, so having some unnatural lighting in place to keep sight clear can only be a good thing. When the winter snap really kicks in, removing snow and ice from the site needs to be imperative too. However, this also needs to be treated with caution. Shovelling snow isn’t a fun task and for those who maybe aren’t in the best shape, this can be dangerous. The cold can make it harder to catch your breath after physical activity, so those who may consider themselves unfit should be careful. As such, great care needs to be taken with this, before grit is applied to keep the site safe. Problem two – staying warm We all feel the effects of the cold differently; the sight of a Premier League footballer wearing gloves with a short-sleeved shirt is proof of that. However, while there are some with a grin-and-bear-it type of attitude, prolonged time spent in freezing conditions is dangerous. The risks of hypothermia or frostbite in freezing conditions are no joke and are very real. There’s also a risk of tissue damage to forcing your way through in the cold as well. One solution to this is wearing more PPE. Gloves especially are important, but it’s equally as important not to wear too much PPE in case you lose mobility. As bizarre as it is to say, you can be over-protected from the cold and that can have an impact on your work capacity, too. One solution to the cold is to have a designated warm area with portable heaters. This can breathe much-needed life into your hands and give you some time to recharge. Also, having access to hot drinks is important for the cold. Whether it’s tea, coffee, hot chocolate or just hot water, having something warm to sip and to keep hands warm is always good. Problem three – equipment performance takes a hit One of the more frustrating aspects of construction in the winter is the tools you’re using themselves. This is especially relevant for carpenters, who are frequently using nail guns. It’s no secret that in the cold, nail guns can be very difficult. They start to misfire more and they don’t seem to have as much power at times. This is because the gas cell needs to be warm before use. As such, a frequent sight is of carpenters rubbing gas cells with their hands in an attempt to warm them up or taking them out from their pockets. This is also where having a designated warm area can help. In the instance of the gas cells for the nail guns, you’d be able to get some heat into it first before going out, thus limiting any malfunction. Naturally, we would add here that you don’t put a gas cell directly in front of a portable header, but being in a warmer environment will help it. In addition, you may have building materials that need to be warm before use. Having a designated warm area can allow them to thaw first, thus saving time and resources trying to get it sorted. In essence, this would be the same for any tool or material that needs some heat into it before use. By simply having a set area for warmth, output can still be very high, even in adverse conditions. Another solution, especially in the case of nail guns, is to fire empty nail guns at 40 PSI. This will warm up the tool nicely before use, while using antifreeze tool oil for other pneumatic tools is also very helpful. Winter construction is very challenging, but solutions can be had Ultimately, there is a reason why most construction projects are done in the other three seasons of the year than winter. It’s much easier, much safer and much more efficient. However, sometimes needs must and while working on a construction site in the winter can be daunting, things can still get done. The importance of external lighting and heating cannot be underestimated, as having both in operation can help a lot. Whether it’s keeping you warm or providing you with visibility, both solutions can really have a huge impact on safety, well-being and productivity. Indeed, the purpose of this article is to keep you safe in challenging conditions. If you need any site heating or lighting, click here for heating and here for lighting. If you’ve enjoyed this article and want to see what else we have for you to read, you can find our article home base here.

17

Nov

How to ensure you’re getting a reliable delivery service

Whether it’s in construction, or in fact in any industry, it’s imperative that you have a reliable delivery service. You need supplies to do the job, so if your supplies don’t show up, the ramifications can be huge. In construction especially, time is very much money. Without the products you need, projects can be delayed and the knock-on effects of that aren’t good, to put it mildly. No contractor is going to enjoy having to explain delays. They are especially not going to be happy explaining delays when they’ve ordered something in good faith that it’ll arrive on a certain day at a certain time and it does neither. However, these fears can be alleviated if you have a reliable supplier. We like to think that we are one – indeed, our own van delivery success rate is 99.3% - and with 30 years’ experience, we’ve picked a few things up along the way. The things we have listed are things that we do ourselves, as we want to make sure that when you order with us, you have everything you need. With that in mind, for this article, we are going to highlight some of the things that all reliable suppliers should be offering you. If they aren’t offering you these things as standard, then it may be time to reconsider who your provider is. Being able to track your order As a general observation, people are curious. They are also especially curious when they order things and want to find out when it’s going to arrive. Not only is this because they need the goods in question, but it allows them to adequately prepare for when that delivery will be. A valued delivery provider will try to have your construction goods delivered before 12, but sometimes you need specifics. When you can track your order, to the point you can pinpoint an estimated time of arrival, you can prioritise things accordingly depending on your project. It allows you to be more time-efficient, as you can rearrange your work schedule to get things done in the meantime. Once you have your goods, you can resume what part of the project you need them for. Having the option to be able to track your order though is very important. You’d expect it from Amazon, you’d expect it from Tesco and you should expect it from your construction supplier, too. A heads-up that your order is about to be delivered Let’s say that you’ve tracked your order and you can see that it is coming at 9am. You’re flat out at work, so you get on with the job and forget that the order is coming, because you’re so preoccupied with the project. Then, you get a phone call from the driver. You’re told that your order is 10 minutes away and you’re asked to come out and pick it up. In the event you can’t pick it up, you can explain where exactly you want it to go, so it doesn’t get lost, misplaced or damaged. Equally, you can get someone to meet the driver to pick up the goods. Above all else, a phone call is just a common courtesy. It keeps you in the loop, allows you to plan more efficiently and if it’s a regular driver, even strike up a relationship with them. This is a fundamental part of reliable service as, much like with anything in the world, communication is key. Picture proof that your item has been delivered safely Using the above as an example, let’s say you’ve asked the driver to leave your goods in a designated area and you’ll collect them later. You then check your order and see that a photo has been added, not only showing proof of delivery, but also identifying exactly where it is. Few things are more annoying than finding out your item has been delivered, but there is no picture to prove that. It’s even more annoying when you then have to take time out of your day to hunt down exactly where it’s been left, with no way of contacting the driver. As such, you should always be of the belief that your supplier is taking photos after dropping the goods off, especially in the event no-one can pick them up instantly. A signature sign-off for every order Lastly, sometimes you just need to know with certainty that the items you’ve ordered have turned up safely. We’ve all heard and endured horror stories of companies saying something has been delivered when the reality is something very different entirely. It’s a dispute you don’t need and it’s time wasted. As such, one thing you should always hope is that your supplier can provide a signature upon arrival rule with their delivery service. This also adds accountability on your end, too. If you can’t sign off for whatever reason, you can see exactly who has. This also helps if you’re trying to hunt down the goods when you do need them. Having the option to give a signature also allows you a brief period of time where you can assess whether the order is correct. Sometimes mistakes can happen, so if you can clock it early, that’s a bonus in an otherwise bad situation. Making sure you get the very best from your supplier We all know the importance of deliveries. Businesses rely on them to get things done, so if they’re having difficulties with their deliveries, then something needs to change. If you are not having these four factors in your deliveries, then you should be asking why not. You should especially be asking this in the event your deliveries aren’t reliable. The things we’ve listed should be seen as standard for delivery, but as we stated earlier, these are all things that we do ourselves. If you would like to get in touch with a member of our team to discuss our delivery options, then you can do so here. Alternatively, if you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to see what else we have, you can see our article home base here.

20

Oct

Why has Multifix partnered with Protecta?

The passive fire protection sector is home to many outstanding companies. All of these offer revolutionary and life-saving solutions, which is hugely important. In a strange way, that makes choosing the right one difficult. While there’s a lot of choice, you want to pick one that’s best suited for you and your needs. As such, one question we get quite regularly is “Why have you partnered with Protecta? Why don’t you supply other fire-stopping products as well?” There are several reasons why we chose to partner with Protecta in late 2021 and it’s a decision that we believe has been an exceptional one. After reaching out to us because of our service, we’ve not looked back and it’s been a hugely productive relationship. In this article, we will highlight three of the main reasons why we wanted to partner with Protecta and how they can help you with your projects. We want to give you full transparency as to why we’re doing what we’re doing, so this is one method of doing so. 1. We feel Protecta’s product testing is superior While the saying “if you stand still, you fall behind” is certainly true in most walks of life, it is especially pertinent in the PFP sector. As such, Protecta are continuously testing to make sure they stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new regulations. Protecta has a dedicated testing facility in Norway, which is frequently used as they seek to add as many ratings as they can. In addition, they also regularly carry out tests at Warrington Fire. Whether it’s European Technical Assessments (ETAs) or CE-marked ratings, Protecta uses its testing facilities to the maximum to make its products as safe as possible. In fact, every single Protecta product is CE-marked and all of them come with their own ETAs and UK Certificates of Competency (COCs). 2. Protecta are constantly developing their products Following on from testing, the development of Protecta’s products is continuous. As mentioned above, the company are always seeking to add additional ratings, thus making them safe in other aspects. The result is that Protecta ends up with a host of innovative products, all of which comply with various fire ratings. Perhaps the most notable recent example is the 80mm FR Board. This has been developed to the point it outperforms some competitor products. The 80mm board has a 160kg density, but the FSi, Quelfire and Nullifire fire boards have a density of 140kg. This means that the Protecta board is sturdier, but it also makes it easier to cut as a result. As a rule of thumb, the denser the board, the easier it is to operate. That being said, some do prefer a lower-density board due to its flexibility when it comes to fitting into openings. However, the Protecta board will be easier to work with. It has that improved aspect because Protecta is always working on upgrades, which is also why we have partnered with them. 3. Protecta’s technical support is outstanding As we have touched upon in our ‘The two key problems with technical support in the PFP technical sector’ article, we believe Protecta’s technical support is exceptional. Whether it’s providing assessment details with good communication, or being able to test something for you, Protecta is always on hand. They aim to respond to all queries within 24 hours and if they can do an assessment detail, the wait time is generally three to five days. Given time can be of the essence, having that kind of technical support on hand is a huge plus. In addition, the level of training Protecta provide is very good. The training doesn’t cost anything and Protecta experts can be at your office to teach, or you can have access to them at an external site. Besides doing product training, the Protecta experts excel elsewhere, too. They can also deliver RIBA-accredited Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars, which are useful. We believe you can benefit from using Protecta While we try to be impartial and unbiased when we write articles, on this occasion it’s slightly different as we’re explaining ourselves. Ultimately, the three things we’ve listed are all things we believe set them apart from what is a very competitive field. We mentioned other fire-stopping contractors earlier. We know they have outstanding offerings that can very comfortably give you what you need. However, we feel that Protecta’s offering is something that suits us and more importantly, can suit you as installers. If you would like any further information about Protecta or its product portfolio, you can get in touch with a team member here. Equally, if you would like to read more about Protecta, you can find out more about their FR Acrylic here.

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