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Article
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.

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Article
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.

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Article
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. 

Read more → 4 min read
Article
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. 

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Article
The cost of construction: four factors why Multifix isn’t the cheapest

The cost of construction isn’t cheap. Project prices are rising and we know that it is currently a difficult market for housebuilders at present. With this in mind, one of the main courses of dialogue we have is around pricing. Understandably, you want to know that you’re getting value for your hard-earned money. You want to know that the products you’ve bought will be more than good enough to get the job done. Risks can’t be afforded as time is money.  Multifix has always tried to be cost-effective in how we operate, however, we can’t always guarantee that we’re going to be the cheapest option on the market.  That leads to us being asked questions on occasion. You will have seen something somewhere else and understandably want to know why we are charging more.  With that in mind, we thought it would be best to be transparent with you and explain our reasons. We always want to be honest with you and that extends to how we run our business, too. In this article, we will highlight four factors why we don’t have the lowest prices and explain our reasoning. 1. We utilise our own fleet of vans To give you the best service, we have our own fleet of vans and our own drivers, who operate from our warehouse in Barking. It would be cheaper for us to only operate with couriers, but that comes with the risk of missed or late deliveries that result in generally poor service. As the old saying goes, if you want a job done right, do it yourself. Our van delivery success rate is 99.3% and we simply cannot guarantee that percentage with couriers. This impacts you because it means that, assuming you are within our geographic reach, you’re almost guaranteed to get your delivery on time. There is minimal risk of delay and 70% of the time, the delivery is with you before 12pm midday.  This means that you can get cracking straight away, without losing time and going a step closer to getting the job done.  Of course, we do use couriers for areas our fleet can’t get to if so required, but the vast majority of our deliveries are done by our internal fleet. That is one of the reasons why we aren’t the least expensive. In addition to paying our drivers a fair salary while maintaining and supplying our fleet, we’re also always looking to improve. 2. Centralised operations in Barking come with a higher cost of business We are very fortunate to be in a strategic location here in the southeast for our customers. However, that real estate does have its price tag. Put bluntly, our overheads for being located where we are in Barking are much higher than they would be for other parts of the country. However, being where we are is much more sustainable than being in another part of the UK. If we did, we would need to put absolutely everything on couriers, which would be much cheaper but wouldn’t give you the same service. As we mentioned above, having speedy deliveries that reliably turn up on time is so important. It’s something that we’re happy to pay the cost for, as it makes your lives much easier.  In addition, the environmental side of things is better as we can plot our routes with our sustainable focus in mind. As a company, we have pledged to be much more sustainable and have already made a lot of changes to try and ensure that we are doing so. You can find out more about that here.   We wouldn’t want to sacrifice our service by being anywhere else, but unfortunately, it is a factor as to why we aren’t super cheap. 3. Multifix only stocks products of very high quality A crucial factor contributing to overall cost is the actual products themselves. At Multifix, we insist on stocking good products of good quality, as we feel that is the very least you should be operating with. As such, we don’t go for the super cheap materials because we know they won’t do the job your standards demand. In addition, we also stock a plethora of big-name brands that have been supplying items for decades. This includes the likes of Paslode, Ancon, Bosch, Protecta and Visqueen, all of whom excel in their respective sectors.   This is perhaps the most straightforward reason for our prices not being the lowest, as we aren’t selling the cheapest products. That isn’t to say there aren’t bargains to be found, but everything we stock is of proven industry-level quality. 4. Our customer service team is always ready to help While we do have a 99.3% delivery success rate with our own vans, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Equally, maybe something has come up and you need advice quickly. In these scenarios, we would much rather you speak to a human being rather than wait for an email response. As such, we are proud to have a hard-working and knowledgeable customer service team, who are only a phone call away to field your questions. The option to talk through an issue with a human being isn’t something to be underestimated. We are also currently in the process of getting a live chat ready, as we understand the importance of time.  The quicker the response, the quicker you can get back to your tasks. The best way to give you a quick response is to speak to you in real-time, so that is why we insist on having a dedicated customer service team. When you have a query or an issue, we don’t want you waiting for an email response or to have bad service. It can disrupt your projects and that’s the last thing we want for you.  Ultimately though, it does come at a cost and that is one of the key factors why we don’t have the lowest prices.  A belief we are the best for the job Taking everything into consideration, we do believe that we offer fair and competitive pricing. We accept we don’t have the lowest prices, but there is a good reason for that. Hopefully after reading this article and seeing the four points in question, you’ll be more understanding as to why we charge what we do. If you would like to discuss our price options in further detail with a member of our expert team, you can find out how to do so here.

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Article
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 above, 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. What else has improved? Note: Spend limit is set within the user permission of each user. Requisitions have to be enabled on each user for this to work. Lastly, for our mobile users on the Portal, our footer has changed.  Your footer will now contain shortcuts to the most used items from our Portal interface

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Article
Your top five most popular Multifix own-brand products

It’s always fascinating to see what products are popular and at Multifix, we are no different. We’re always keen to see what you’re liking and how we can improve on that product range, if indeed we can.  We have a number of own-branded products that we stock, but which ones are really taking your fancy? Which ones are the most popular? That is what we sought to find out for this article. By doing some number crunching from sales data in 2023, we have identified our top five best-selling own-branded products. Without further ado, here is the list, from five to one.  5) General Purpose Silicone Starting us off is our General Purpose (GP) Silicone, which comes in 280ml cartridges in either clear or white. GP Silicone is a general-purpose sealant and can be used for a variety of tasks. These include glazing, joint sealing, roofing, concrete repair and more.  The GP Silicone is acid-curing and is suitable for use on all common non-porous building materials. This would include glass, metal, plastic and concrete, amongst others.  In addition, the GP Silicone has a strong adhesion and also contains anti-fungicide, which makes it ideal for bathrooms.  4) Stuck-It Extreme Up next is the Stuck-It Extreme, which is our solvent-free polymer adhesive. Designed to seal gaps where a strong and waterproof finish is needed, the product, which is VOC-free, is rather popular.  One possible reason for this is because it can be used as a sealant, in addition to its primary use as an adhesive. This, in turn, saves you from getting both! It can also replace screws or nails in some situations, for example when putting up a bathroom mirror, while it also comes in a variety of colours.  3) Grab-It Much like the Stuck-It Extreme, the Grab-It is also solvent-free, but has a slightly different primary purpose. It’s mainly used as a panel adhesive, so it can bond skirtings and architraves.  It can be used on wet or damp surfaces and even underwater applications, if needed. The Grab-It also does a great job of reducing snagging, which is down to the high initial grab and lack of slip.  Finally, it comes in a 350ml tube, so you get quite a fair bit for your money – something you clearly agree with! 2) Probuild Gold screws Coming in second place are our Probuild Gold screws, which are trade woodscrews and come in a number of different sizes and capacities.  The screws themselves are deep threaded, while they also come with yellow passivated coating. This coating means they are more durable and resistant to corrosion than non-passivated coated screws.  In addition, the screws come with a self-starting point, a double countersunk head and a Pozi recess. All of this is for ease of use, as making installation easier can only be a good thing. 1) FSA intumescent At number one is our FSA Fire Rated Intumescent & Acoustic Sealant Mastic! The acrylic sealant’s primary purpose is to stop fire from penetrating a door space, which it does by swelling at 125 degrees. The sealant, which is available in both 310ml and 900ml cartridges, has been fire-graded at BS EN 1366-4, BS476-20 and BS476-22 ratings. In addition, it also has a four-hour integrity and insulation rating and can also be used around pipes and cables to try and prevent the spread of a fire.  Multifix products are here to help you The main reason why we do our own-brand products is because we want to help you. We want you to have good quality products that can get the job done well and in some instances, for less money.  That’s why we’re continuously looking for other ways in which we can expand our range, so to see our own-brand products fare so well is always hugely promising.  We also stock a host of other own-branded products which aren’t on this list, such as blades, masonry screws and packers, amongst others.  If you would like to speak to a member of our expert team to find out more about them, you can get in touch with us here. 

Read more → 3 min read
Article
Should you split your business or use one supplier?

As a company, you just want things to run smoothly. You want to know you’re getting reliability, good service and ultimately, a good deal for what you’re paying for. If you’re getting late deliveries and noticing product order costs are going up despite being cheaper elsewhere, it’s going to rankle you. You start to get the feeling that you’re being treated like just another number instead of a human being. No one likes being treated as a number instead of a customer. If this sounds relatable to you, then it may be time for a supplier switch. However, it isn’t always as simple as that. It is also one of the reasons why some split their business among multiple suppliers, rather than just using one. Even with bad service, some would rather stick with a company in some capacity as it’s a lot less hassle than making a change, as opposed to cutting ties. Which is best for you, though? Is it better to put all your eggs in one basket with one company, or play the field and use several? One way to come to a decision is by trialling a supplier first. That way, you stick with your existing supplier in the short term, but can test the waters with another and then decide whether to split or switch. While we can’t (and won’t) directly tell you and your company what to do, we can outline the pros and cons of both scenarios, so you can make a more informed decision. Ultimately, we want what is best for you and your company and as such, we are going to explore both options in this article for you. What are the pros of splitting your business? In some ways, you arguably have more power when you split your business. It’s the same when doing a food shop and you go to different supermarkets; some will have items cheaper than others, so you use all of them to get the best price. You also aren’t stuck if something goes wrong. If you need something the next day for example and one company can’t do it, there’s a good chance you’ll find one who can. This also extends to product quality or preference. You may prefer a certain type of product that one company does over another, so you aren’t restricted as to what you can or can’t get. Following on from that, there may be a product that one company stocks that another doesn’t. Keeping your options open means you won’t have to settle for less.  What about the pros of staying with one company? In terms of ease, having one company is definitely simpler than juggling several. If you only have one company to order from, that saves time than ordering with many. As such, it can be more efficient to just have one. You will also have much better relationships with the one supplier, as over time, your business will be valued and appreciated. It also stops you trying to spin a lot of plates. Rather than try and manage relationships with multiple suppliers, you can focus on gaining the most from one.  In fact, this can work in your favour as if you are a long-term customer, you’re likely to get preferential treatment compared to a new customer. This can even extend to having better support and even discounts. That is something we do at Multifix, with a policy that the more you spend, the better the rewards for you. What cons are there for splitting your business? The main con is the amount of extra admin to juggle. More suppliers means more relationships and that means more effort. It means multiple invoices, as well as different systems to navigate. This in itself is an issue. According to research from Gartner, the average UK cost of processing an invoice ranges between £4 and £25. In some instances, if errors are made, it can be up to £50 per invoice. Also, while you may be sniping for all the cheapest prices, that can actually work against you. As an example, let’s say you make three orders from three companies because they have the cheapest prices. That’s great, but if it’s under the minimum delivery cost for each, you’ll end up paying more. It could be cheaper to buy it all with one and get free delivery than split it all among several and pay added costs. Finally, you’ll always likely be treated as a number with multiple suppliers. Because you won’t be using them exclusively, you’re likely to miss out on the best rates and the best level of service.  As such, you also won’t have much of an opportunity to strike long-lasting relationships. Your business will still be appreciated, of course, but they’ll see it as having little reason to give you special treatment.  And the cons of using only one supplier? The main con of only using one supplier is that you potentially run the risk of being taken for granted. You might find you’re not getting discounts or improved service despite your loyalty, which can be hugely frustrating. Likewise, they may become complacent with you on other things. Say a delivery is a day late, they may take the approach of, “oh it’s only so and so, that’s alright.” Naturally, you don’t want this. If something happens with that company as well, whether it's a logistical disruption or financially related, you’re a bit stuck. At least with other suppliers, you can navigate this, but with one, it’s difficult. Lastly, you might be missing out on better products elsewhere. The company you’re solely using might have a good alternative, but if they don’t stock exactly what you want, that can be challenging. So, what’s best for me? Ultimately, that’s only a question you can answer. As we said at the start of the article, we won’t tell you what to do with your business. What we will say though, is if you are using one supplier and you aren’t getting the benefits listed, you should definitely consider finding a new one. No one wants to be taken for granted and everyone wants the best offers, so it’s important you get the maximum from your supplier. If you would like to open a dialogue on how Multifix can help you, as either a sole supplier or as another one for you to use, you can contact us here. 

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Article
The two key problems with technical support in the PFP sector and how Multifix can help

Having great technical support in the PFP sector is something of a necessity. Whether it’s having a direct line to technicians or needing training, it’s needed. However, some can find it challenging to come across. This is a concern, as with something as imperative as safety on the line, you will need good technical support. Without it, life becomes very difficult. You run the risk of being using certain products wrong and could face delays from waiting for things to be sorted.  In this article, we will highlight how our technical support stands out and how it can be a real asset for you moving forward. It is worth noting that the technical support we offer is run by Protecta, who are a partner of ours.  We are choosing to reference them in this article as we have picked out the two most common pain points. As such, we’ve also been able to identify how we believe we can solve them for you. Assessment details taking too long Picture the scene. A firestopping contractor or a surveying company has gone for a site inspection. After looking at it, they realise they’ll need an assessment test before continuing. For those unaware, assessment details are where the manufacturer carries out a non-standard detail on what you require, then approves it or not. The manufacturer writes an assessment based on evidence from tested details and if there is enough evidence, will give sign off. This can prove especially useful when you have something of a unique challenge that you need to overcome. The issue comes from site managers being told they won’t be able to have one for three weeks due to a lack of time or availability.  That subsequently means three weeks of standstill or scrambling about for other products to get the job done. However, it doesn’t have to be so drastic. Just what does an assessment detail entail? As per the Passive Fire Protection Forum (PFPF) ‘Guide to Undertaking Technical Assessments of the Fire Performance of Construction Products Based on Fire Test Evidence’, this is what an assessment detail looks for: Whether they can “extend the scope of the design/application of a product” To “provide confidence and compliance in the product” To “underpin the scope of certification” The assessment detail must be “robust and written by competent individuals,” which is to be expected given safety is on the line.  If the product fails in any of these categories, it’s essentially back to the drawing board. But what’s imperative is that you know sooner, rather than later.  Whenever one of our customers needs an assessment, we turn to Protecta. Protecta normally respond to such queries on the same day and they aspire to respond to all queries within 24 hours. If they can detail it, the wait time for the detail is three to five days. It’s hard to be exact because of things like drawings that could be needed, but you’ll have an answer within a full working week. It’s worth noting that Protecta always try to adhere to standard, tested details where possible. This is because any assessment is site specific.  You may have limited access to training Whether it’s for new starters or just to fully maximise your output, training sessions are essential and can have a very positive impact. Be it to fully learn how to utilise a product or to gain a better understanding of why PFP is needed, training is essential.  However, it can be difficult to arrange for training sessions to take place. Sometimes it can be difficult to pinpoint a location and sometimes it’s difficult to get instructors to come at a time that suits. What we can do is offer you professional training with a Protecta expert, free of charge, in a location of your convenience. We can have a Protecta expert at your customer office, or in some instances on site, to talk you through the products and the training. It’s worth noting though, that this face-to-face training is primarily educational. There are only a few customer offices that can accommodate hands-on, practical training, which can be problematic. However, we are one of those. Our training room at our warehouse in Barking can be booked for training, at no cost to Multifix customers, for you and your team. Here, we can show you exactly how to use the products and answer any questions you may have, removing the chance of mistakes on-site. Multifix can help you get things right Delays or improper use of products can be hugely detrimental to those in the passive fire protection industry, so good technical support is vital.  As we said earlier in the article, there are a lot of companies out there supplying the PFP sector that offer a great level of technical support. But, with the free training, quick response times and assessment details, we have something maybe better for you. Combined with Protecta’s expertise, we are confident that our technical support can boost efficiency and make life easier. It’s certainly something that we believe and it’s certainly something that we will be more than happy to try and prove to you. If you would like to find out more about technical support, please get in touch here to speak to one of our expert team. Equally, if you want to directly get in touch with the Protecta technical support team, you can email them here. 

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Article
Three ways Multifix is serious about sustainability

As the days, months and years go by, the need for companies to be more energy-efficient and sustainable continues to grow. After all, if every company actively tries to have more sustainable measures, that can only be a good thing for the planet, right? It’s certainly something we believe at Multifix as we have actively tried to be more responsible with how we operate. Even things like our LED motion-activated lighting, which turns off automatically if there’s no movement for a time, play a part. You may be wondering why this is important to you, but it can be a good thing for your ESG, too. For those unaware, ESG is a framework that stands for environmental, social and governance.  Construction companies in the UK are judged on their ESG and those with net zero claims are judged on their output.  As such, using a more sustainable company is a huge boost for you as a customer. However, we have a few things that we do with one eye firmly on our sustainability as we constantly look for ways to be net zero. While we are far from perfect, we believe these three things in particular prove that we are taking sustainability seriously. Our packaging To drastically reduce our use of single-use plastic, we have made it mandatory that all our deliveries are sent in cardboard packaging. While we know that paper/cardboard comes from trees, trees are regenerative, so it’s the most ecological way of carrying your goods.  This packaging can also be recycled, which is also helpful. Single-use plastic, as well as being non-biodegradable, frequently ends up in oceans or waterways and that can harm wildlife.  As well as that, even creating single-use plastic adds to greenhouse emissions due to what is needed to make it, so we’re happy to not use it.   When it comes to pallets, it’s a slightly different story, but we still try and do what we can. All of our shrink wrapping is recyclable and we have a robot that wraps the pallets themselves. The robot stretches the shrink wrap to the perfect point, which gives us maximum efficiency. It also stops the customer from having too much and cuts down our waste as we’re only using the correct amount. The materials that bring the shrink wrap to our warehouse are also recycled. Again, if you’re looking to go net zero, actions like this will indirectly help you. We’ve installed air-source heat pumps Instead of having a gas or electric heating system, we have installed air-source heat pumps at our main office in Maidstone, Kent. Compared to traditional heating systems, air-source heat pumps are much more environmentally sound. That’s because they use air as their heat source instead of fossil fuels, so there are no greenhouse gas emissions. For those wondering how they work, the heat pumps extract outside air and use that to generate heat. This works even in the harsh winter, so it’s an all-year-round solution. Out of all the things we do to try and achieve net zero, having air-source heat pumps is perhaps one of the most innovative ways to do so. Considering the environment with our vans This is perhaps the hardest one to try and manage given the need for fuel, but we still make an effort to cut our carbon footprint with our vans. All of our routes are mapped carefully so that we only use the fuel that we need, thus avoiding any unnecessary journeys. For example, we won’t have a driver doing a triangle trip of Bristol, Norwich and then Romford. In addition, our FORS Silver accredited vans are all Euro 6 compliant. Euro 6 is a regulation that comes with an emissions limit, requiring engine gases to be treated before being released through the exhaust. When acquiring our fleet of vans, this was something that was considered before every purchase, as we try and limit our carbon footprint.  Also, the cars our sales fleet have are all hybrid or electric. We also have electric charging points at our head office. A sustainable future As mentioned earlier, we know that we aren’t perfect. There is more we can do and we are always looking into ways we can be more sustainable. One example of something we have an eye on is the emergence of electric-powered vans. While we aren’t in a position to utilise them just now, it’s something definitely on our radar. Ultimately, if every company sticks to the ethos of being greener and more sustainable, it can only benefit all of us. If you would like any further information on how we’re trying to be more sustainable at Multifix, you can get in touch with us here. Equally, you can see our sustainability pledges here. 

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Article
Multifix’s PPE: Enhancing safety and protection

PPE is naturally a hugely vital part of the job. Whether it’s a hi-vis, a helmet or eye protection, in order to work in the construction sector, you’re going to need PPE. It can’t just be any PPE, either. PPE such as helmets, head protection and gloves all need to be at an EN standard; otherwise, you won’t be deemed safe when on a site.  One issue we keep hearing about is finding a reliable provider of PPE, to help you with your projects and tasks. This is where we come in.  By no means are we suggesting that we are PPE specialists, but we do have a lot of PPE in stock, ready for immediate dispatch, to help you get the job done.  Our PPE comes from a number of manufacturers and is professionally graded. We can also get it to you as soon as possible, thanks to our fleet of dedicated drivers.  To give you an idea of what we have in stock, here is a rundown of the PPE that we have available.  Unbranded helmets and hi-vis The primary form of PPE in the workplace is either a hi-vis or a helmet – and we have lots of both in supply. The only caveat to this is that it is all unbranded, but if that isn’t an issue, then we have everything and more that you’ll need.  Be it orange or yellow hi-vis waistcoats, waterproof bomber jackets with a hood or orange hi-vis trousers, we can have you fully kitted out.  As far as safety helmets go, we stock these in a number of different colours. Our helmets come in an assortment of colours with additional add-ons, if needed. Boots No matter if you’re a size four or a size 12, we’ll have a pair of steel-capped boots for you. Our range of boots comes in either black or honey leather, so there is some slight choice in colour.  It’s important to work in comfort, but also to work knowing your feet are safe in the event of anything happening.  Gloves and sleeves Whether it’s rigger gloves, builder’s gloves, or just disposable gloves, we have you covered.  We offer gloves either as a pair or in large boxes up to 100, depending on what it is you’re after and even have some speciality gloves in our collection as well.  Also, except for our disposable gloves or household gloves, every one of our gloves is rated at EN388. We try to have all our gloves in small, medium, large or extra-large.  In addition, we also offer an EN388-rated 350mm Kevlar sleeve with a thumbhole, to fully protect your arm when in the workplace.  Eye and ear protection It’s important to protect your senses when in the workplace, which is why we also have a number of options for your ears and eyes.  We stock EN 352-2 graded overhead ear defenders, as well as your generic earplugs. We have corded hi-vis earplugs or disposable ones that come in a box of 200. As for eyes, we stock a number of safety goggles and safety specs. Respirators and face masks Finally, our respirator and face mask options certainly go from one extreme to the other. Whether it’s a three-ply disposable face mask in a box of 50 or a JSP Powercap Infinity respirator, we’ll have something for your needs.  We also stock FFP2 valved masks, FFP3 masks and also a number of half-masks, including the JSP Force 8.  As uncomfortable as they can be, we also supply face fit tests, which can be essential depending on what mask or respirator you choose.  That is a full rundown of the type of PPE that we can offer you. If you are seeking a reliable supplier of PPE, we are more than happy to assist you in any way we can with your projects.  If you would like to find out more about the PPE offerings we have here, or our delivery service, please get in touch with us here. 

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Article
All about delivery

If you’re new to Multifix, you might have some questions about the delivery service we provide. If you can’t find your question answered, give us call on 020 3248 4086, and we’ll be happy to help. Do you offer next day delivery? Yes, at least 95% of all of orders are picked and packed the same day we receive them and are delivered the next working day as standard. See below for our order cut off times. On the odd occasion we’re out of stock of a particular item, we’ll contact you to let you know and when you can expect your delivery. What is the cut off time for next day delivery? For next day deliveries within our own-van delivery zone, our order cut off time is 5.00pm. If your site is outside of own van delivery zone, these times vary as we would need to arrange a courier for you: for orders over 50kg (deliveries by a pallet courier), the cut of time is 4.00pm and for orders less than 50kg, the cut off time is 4.30pm. Do you offer same day delivery? As all of our fleet have left the depot by 7.00am, we can arrange same day delivery using a third-party courier service. Depending on where you are in the country, charges will vary. If you have an urgent requirement, talk to us and we’ll find a solution for you. Do you deliver nationwide? The short answer is, yes we do. We have been delivering to London & the South East for 30 years, with our own vans delivering to 93% of our customers. In those areas we don’t go to so regularly, we use reputable courier services. We know that using a third party service can be stressful for both you and us, but we are proud to have a 90% success rate with our partner services. What areas do you deliver to? Our own-van delivery zone is expanding all the time; we now deliver to Swindon & Wilshire and have a 3-year expansion plan to extend our coverage even more. To check if you’re in our own-van delivery zone, take a look at this map. Can you offer AM deliveries? 75% of our customers’ orders are delivered before midday. If you have an AM delivery requirement, please speak to one of our team when you place your order. If you’re ordering via the customer portal, just add the information to to the delivery notes section. If you opt for delivery on a third party courier service to guarantee an AM delivery, carriage charges will apply. Do you offer booked in deliveries and/or time slots? We know that some sites have delivery restrictions to keep the traffic flowing around them. We work together with several of our customers to achieve timed deliveries that are mutually workable. Talk to us to see how we can help you. Do you charge carriage? From 1 March, 2024, we will be introducing a carrier charge for all orders under £100.  What is the minimum order value? Our Operations team plan the most efficient use of our fleet on a daily basis. To help minimise our impact on the environment, we encourage our customers to place orders with a minimum value of £100. We know that this is not always possible due to site circumstances or space, so we are flexible in our approach. When can I expect my delivery? Multifix drivers call you shortly before they are due to deliver and leave parcels in a safe place when asked to do so. Can I track my delivery? When your order has been dispatched on our fleet, you’ll receive a text notification. This contains a link to the customer portal, showing an estimated arrival time. Here you will also find live tracking of your order. The ETA is updated regularly, according to the traffic conditions. You’ll also receive a text when your delivery has arrived – useful if you’re not the one on site receiving it. If your order is being delivered by a third party courier service, you will receive communications direct from them. Can I collect? If you’d prefer to collect from us, you can do so from our Distribution depot in Barking (IG11 0EG). Just head to the Customer Collections area, which is signposted. From order placement, all we need is an hour to process, pick & pack your order. Where can I find PODs for my orders? If you are registered on the customer portal, all order history including PODs will be shown on your account dashboard. If you’re not registered on the portal, simply call the Customer Services team and they’ll be able to provide a POD for you. What happens if there’s problem with my order? In the event of a problem with your order, please speak to a member of our Customer Services team in the first instance and we’ll sort out the issue for you. Are your vans and drivers your own, or do you use couriers? Yes, we have our own branded vans & lorries and employ our own drivers. Having our own vehicle fleet, and employing our own drivers gives us the agility to respond to customer needs, focusing our team where they’re needed the most. Our drivers are friendly & courteous and know their routes well as we don’t switch their areas - this way they get to know regular customers and their preferences. How will my order be delivered? Our fleet consists of panel vans, curtain sided trucks and a van & trailer combination with crane offloading facility for bulky items. All vehicles are 3.5 tonnes, which enables fast site offloading. Are your vehicles sign-written? All of our vehicles are sign-written with black and yellow Multifix branding, to enable easy identification for safety & security purposes. Do your drivers have their own PPE? Our drivers all have 5 point PPE (hat, gloves, glasses, boots & hi-vis) for their protection and to meet your site requirements. Will your drivers help me offload? Our drivers will help you take your boxes to your container or site office – it’s all part of our personal service. For deliveries not on our own vehicle, third party couriers offer a kerbside delivery service. Do you have FORS accreditation? Yes, we are FORS silver accredited. This accreditation ensures driver training, vehicle safety and insurance cover are to standard and CO2 emissions are measured and improved upon.

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Article
Construction Industry update Q4 2022

We’ve brought together the headlines from some leading Industry sources to provide a snapshot of the economic outlook for the Construction Industry. Construction Output expected to fall significantly in 2023 amid looming UK Economic Recession Headlines from the Construction Products Association (CPA) forecast a reduction in construction output of 3.9% in 2023 (compared to a rise of 2.0% in 2022). The CPA cite this as “mainly due to the impact of a wider economic recession, exacerbated by the effect of the ‘Mini Budget’, and the consequent fallout from recent political uncertainty.” For the full article visit ConstructionProducts.org.uk Construction Outlook: October 2022 Hewes & Associates forecast the decline of Construction Output in 2023 to be 5% and, state “Tighter public spending, higher inflation, and in turn raised base rates will be the new reality in our view. Efforts to control inflation will, we expect, result in base rates rising to around 4%, while inflation is forecast to peak in 2023, and drop to around 4-5% by 2024.” They also predict a housing downturn in 2023/2024 due to high borrowing rates, pressure on household incomes and low economic confidence, although “we do not foresee another round of austerity of the likes undertaken over the years 2010-2015” For the full article visit Hewes-Associates.com Some of the levers affecting these predictions: For the full article visit Building.co.uk Inflation: Energy costs:

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