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Just how much impact has Brexit had on UK construction?

It’s been nearly a decade since the British public made the decision to leave the European Union and we continue to feel the impact of that every day.   In terms of industry though, the UK construction industry has certainly had some notable changes since the referendum, which have brought their own challenges.   In this article, we will take a look at how things have changed since the vote in 2016 and how those changes impact the UK construction sector.   Construction costs have shot up  Things have gotten a lot more expensive for people in UK construction since the decision to leave the EU and at an alarming rate, too.   As reported by The Guardian, data analysis from both the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Eurostat, the central EU database, showed that the cost of materials, including steel, cement and timber, rocketed up by 60% between 2015 and 2022.   Rising costs affected everybody in Europe, be it from the Covid-19 pandemic or general supply chain problems, but the UK was stung the most. For context, in the same period, the average rise for EU countries was 35%  The reason for the 25% increase compared to the average rise across EU countries comes down to things like added costs, admin or bureaucracy and it is smaller firms who will feel the pinch a lot more.   Across the same time period and according to the same data analysis, the cost of labour also soared – in the UK, it rose by 30%.  This is also significantly more than other EU countries. For comparison, Denmark and the Netherlands saw their cost of labour rise by 14%.   There’s been a notable shortfall in the UK labour force  It has been estimated by a thinktank that 330,000 people have left the UK labour force since Brexit, which includes the construction industry.   As a result, the situation has gotten pretty dire – so much so, that in July 2023, the UK government relaxed visa rules for foreign builders to try and combat this.   Jobs such as bricklaying, carpentry, roofing and plastering, amongst other construction jobs, were all added to the ‘shortage occupation list’, which offers a huge incentive to those from abroad.   If you have a job role on the shortage occupation list, you are eligible for 80% pay in addition to a skilled worker visa and a lower application fee, assuming you have a sponsored job offer and can speak English.   As per UK law, employers are allowed to offer 80% to EU migrants instead of the full 100% they’d have to pay domestic citizens, if they are filling a job listed on the shortage occupation list.   Construction worker shortages have always been problematic, but not quite on the post-Brexit level. Since Brexit, EU workers need a visa to work in the UK, which became a major issue after Covid-19, when a lot of EU construction workers returned home.  The change will no doubt help with the dwindling figures, which is great for the construction industry.   Making the most out of challenging circumstances  The construction industry, perhaps more so than any other industry in the UK, has always found a way to be resilient in the face of adversity. It is determined, dogged and strong.   In a post-Brexit world, that is no different. The challenges are very much real and have a big impact, but those in UK construction still find a way to deal with it as best they can and bounce back.   If you would like to read more articles on construction, you can find several – in addition to videos – on our Expert Hub. You can find that here.  

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Article
Apprenticeships at Multifix – the story from those involved

Cameron Duke, our Accounts Apprentice, is currently undertaking an AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Level 2 in Accounting and has opened up about his experiences with the scheme.   How did the apprentice opportunity open up for you at Multifix?  I was at school looking for apprentice opportunities to progress in accounting and after looking at multiple websites, I noticed there was a listing for an apprentice scheme in the course I was looking to take. After that, things went from there!  What made you go for an apprenticeship instead of going to college or university?  I spoke to family members that are in an accounting role, so my uncle is a taxation specialist, while my nan and my aunt both work in accounting or finance related roles. They advised the course to take and to go through work experience as it’s more valuable than going to university.  With the courses I will partake in, I’ll come out with the same qualification that I’d have received going to university by the time I’m 21, which will hopefully be a chartership in accounting through the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), or the CTA (Chartered Tax Adviser).  I’ll also have no debt and I’d have six years’ worth of work experience with the same relevant qualifications.   How do you find juggling your coursework and your actual work?  It’s fine, it can be tricky at times with what’s needed from the course as it requires a lot of time and effort, but luckily I have day release once a week, which lets me focus solely on that coursework.   Multifix don’t have to do this, but they do so to try and better the course for me.   You mentioned the day release, but how else do Multifix support you on your scheme?  They fund the course and they provide the work alongside it, too. For the ACCA and CTA, which are the chartership courses I’ll look to partake in, you need three years of work experience in an accounting or finance-related role, so that helps a lot towards that.   How have you found the exams?  They’re manageable, but the pass rates do differ. I’ve passed all the exams I’ve sat and the most recent one, which was a costing exam, I achieved 95%. Overall, I’m working towards a distinction, so all is going well.   What are your personal aspirations from the apprentice scheme? The experience and knowledge can then lead to me working in practice and hopefully, I’ll eventually own my own practice. I’d love to have my own firm specialising in both taxation and audits and insurance.  What advice would you give to anyone looking for an apprenticeship?  From my own personal experience, I’ve generally found it easy to balance studying with my work. I think it has been the right choice for me, but I think people should do what’s best for them and go for it if it’s of interest to them.  

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Article
Large orders v small orders – what’s better?

As people, we are prone to falling into a convenience financial trap. 30% of us, according to YouGov, are likely to prioritise a monthly payment for a service rather than paying up front, for example.   It makes sense, to some extent. Whether it’s car insurance or streaming services, it’s less noticeable for your bank account to see a small fee go out than a large one, even if you end up paying more across a year.   However, this can translate into other buying habits, too. This is especially the case when it comes to ordering what we need as and when, instead of forward planning.   But is it better to forward plan and get a large order in? Or does it make more sense to get things as and when you need them?  In this article, we will look at both options and what their respective pros and cons are.   What are the pros of ordering as and when?  The main pro to ordering as and when is the convenience aspect. If you just know what you need, you can get that without really needing to think of much else, other than getting the project done.   This also requires minimal effort, as it’s just a case of sourcing exactly what you need rather than mapping out what else you could need for a future project.   However, while you end up getting what you require, that’s about as far as the pros go when it comes to ordering as and when.   So what are the cons then?  The cons of only ordering what you need, more often than not, means that you end up placing multiple orders, when just one would’ve done.   This has a financial cost as well, as the cost of multiple invoices is going to be more than just one invoice. One £500 order will be a cheaper order to process than 10 £50 orders, even though the initial outlay is more.  As such, while the initial outlay might not seem too bad, there is a notable knock-on effect if you’re making several small orders. Additionally, depending on where you are ordering from, you may have to pay a carrier charge if your order cost is under the minimum order threshold.   What about bulk buying? What are the pros for that?  With bulk buying, you can forward plan much easier, as you will have everything you need. You order it all once, then it’s done and you don’t have to worry about it.   It also saves you money as it’s only one order to process, while it also saves you time in a sense as it’s only one delivery to factor in your day as well.   In that sense, it’s arguably more convenient to bulk buy than it is to get things as and when, because once it’s done, it’s done.   Are there any cons, though?  One of the reasons why we order as and when is because we have little time. When you bulk buy, you need to allocate some time so you can work out exactly what you need to order.   Finding this time can be problematic for some, even if the results are ultimately very good, so this can be a concern.   Also, with a big bulk order, you may have to factor into account who is going to take the items and store them away. You may need to take employees away from their tasks for a few minutes to assist.  In addition, a lack of storage on site can be a problem for some.   Deciding what’s best for you  In our opinion, we believe that bulk buying is a better option out of the two. It sets you up for longer, is only one order to process and leaves you more organised.   It also wards off the possibility of delivery fees and while there may need to be a group effort to itemise everything, it’s worth it.   However, ultimately it depends on what is best for you and your business. Maybe you prefer ordering as and when because it’s more convenient for you, but that of course comes with costs in processing multiple orders.   But, if that works for you and continues to do so, then that can only be a good thing. It’s certainly worth factoring in the benefits of bulk buying, though.   If you would like to speak to a member of our staff about as and when ordering or bulk buying, you can get in touch with us here.  

Read more → 4 min read
Article
2023 in UK construction – what changed?

As Big Ben rang out on January 1, many in the UK construction industry were happy to see the back of 2023 given the challenges it brought.   With a surge in energy prices, fluctuating fuel prices and the soaring cost of raw materials, a lot of people felt a financial pinch.   That being said, 2023 did further prove that the construction industry is determined and there are things to take from 2023 that can be hugely beneficial.   In this article, we will cast our eye back to the previous 12 months and examine what came to light during that time.   A housing downturn led to problems Perhaps the biggest issue of 2023 was the fact that interest rates skyrocketed, making life incredibly difficult for people up and down the country.   In December 2021, the interest rates were 0.1%, however by July 2023, they had shot up to a staggering 5% to combat rising prices elsewhere.   This was especially notable for those who had to remortgage, as they were discovering that their monthly rate had gone up by a huge amount. Over a million Brits saw their rates go up by £500, as per the BBC. Those on fixed-term mortgages weren’t safe either, with the average rate of a two-year mortgage going up to 6.7% - which was a 15-year high.   The consequence of this was that as homes became unaffordable to many, people stopped buying. And if people aren’t buying homes, then there’s no point in building them, which was a hammer blow to the construction industry.   As per the BCIS, the ONS showed that new private housing work was down 2.8% in Q3 2023 compared to Q2 2023. More startlingly, it was 13.4% down on Q3 2022.   In addition, according to Barbour ABI, the amount of construction contracts in 2023 dropped from £80.4bn to £69.2bn, which is a huge drop.   The worry is that things will get worse before they get better on that front, with the BCIS believing that we won’t see significant growth again until 2025.   The impact on construction firms  4,287 construction firms became insolvent between September 2022 and September 2023, which was an alarming 8.3% increase from the year before.   The knock-on effect of this is huge, as it means people are out of work and projects will be impacted as there are fewer people on hand to do them.  However, there was no recession  One of the biggest fears for construction in 2023 was that the country would go into recession, which would’ve plunged the UK further into crisis.   Thankfully however, that was avoided – albeit narrowly. As a result, while things are still looking bleak in one aspect, it isn’t the total disaster that could’ve been.   The impact of a recession could’ve seen thousands of companies go out of business, in addition to the ones that sadly did go.  It also could’ve seen projects grind to a relative halt and while there is an element of that at present, it would’ve been much worse with a recession.   However, the industry remained resilient. So, as challenging as 2023 has been, there is still something to build from as we move further into 2024.   That being said, there is an early hurdle to clear in 2024, as additional import charges are stinging companies as a direct result of the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea.  The crisis is causing a delay in goods arriving, which is because of transportation following safer routes. However, this means fuel and insurance costs have gone up for transportation companies, which is something that we all have to contend with.   Hopefully brighter times on the horizon As a result of 2023, the prospect of 2024 isn’t exactly vibrant and positive for the construction industry, but it’s far from a lost cause.  In fact, according to BCIS, just 13% of construction professionals believe that there will be a fall in workload in 2024, despite all the disruption.   The resilience shown to beat off all the threats of the recession will need to be displayed again in 2024, but the construction industry has long been known for its durability.   Hopefully, with interest rates now starting to fall, the housing situation will improve during 2024 and more projects can get up and running. That would be a huge and timely boost.   For now though, all we can do is dig in. To read more articles from Multifix about the construction industry and beyond, you can find our article library here.  

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Article
What’s the true cost to your business of placing multiple orders?

Whether you’re buying for yourself or whether it’s on behalf of a business, it’s essential to extract the most from your purchases.   This is why the topic of ordering is always one for discussion as, depending on how you process it, it can vary in total cost.   We are frequently asked about what the average cost of an order is, but that’s a little difficult for us to answer.   The reason why it’s difficult is that there are a few variables to consider, but on average, the cost of processing an order in the UK ranges between £4 and £25.   That is according to research from the Hackett Group and from Gartner, as per Process Flows, which should give you some idea. However, the general go-to figure for the cost of an order is £50.   But why is it that much? Why does it vary so much? And how expensive can an invoice be?  £4 to £25? £50? Why is that average so different and why is the go-to fee much higher? The short answer is that the cost of actually processing an order varies from business to business, as some will go about it completely differently than others.   Some may do it manually, which can pose a whole heap of challenges, while others may use automation to process their orders.   Automation is by no means 100% risk-free, but it certainly cuts down on human error and can save time for others elsewhere.   Manual ordering can also slow things down, as bits of paper can physically be left somewhere for ages without actually being processed. This also has a cost as it can run the risk of a late payment.   What is even considered when it comes to working out an order cost? Things like payment fees, the total cost of the software involved (if there is any), the full cost of the headcount, staff time, whether it’s late or on bad supplier terms, as well as processes.   All of these things are factored in when getting an average estimate of what processing an order actually costs.   You also have to factor in things like accommodation, heating and lighting, which all sounds rather odd, but literally every part of the ordering process has to be priced up.    How to reduce the cost of ordering  Some of this cost can be offset by planning ahead and placing larger orders, which may be more of an outlay initially, but could save more down the line.  For instance, one £500 order will be a cheaper order to process than 10 x £50 orders, even though the initial outlay is more.   You can find out more about the pros and cons of larger orders vs smaller orders here, but as it is just the one order, there is a lot less to factor in to the overall cost.   What else might help?  One thing we have at Multifix to help streamline the buying process is our customer portal, which can make an impact thanks to the speed of it.  All of the important information, such as proof of delivery, invoice etc, can all be found in one place as such. To find out more about the Portal and how it can help you, click here.   Furthermore, if you would like to speak to a member of our team to discuss invoices or the Portal further, you can get in touch with us by following this link.

Read more → 3 min read
Article
Tackling carbon with Ecologi in 2024

When it comes to gunning for net zero, the UK construction industry is very much doing its bit and constantly striving to hit its targets.   At Multifix, we have always had an eye on being better from an environmental perspective, but in light of the 2023 Multifix sustainability report, which you can read here, we have accepted that we could do more.   As such, we have decided to join forces with environmental organisation Ecologi to offset some of our carbon footprint, which is a very exciting development for us.  This has allowed us to get involved with several fantastic projects, which not only allows us to give back, but also steps up our efforts to be more sustainable.  In this article, we will go through three of the projects that we are contributing towards with Ecologi, all of which helps make us more climate-positive.   Solar PV electricity generation in Indonesia   When it comes to a global share of using fossil fuels, Indonesia ranks fourth in the world, making up a staggering 6% of the world’s total use.  As such, a project located in Pringgabaya, which is an island of Lombok in Indonesia, is tapping into the clear potential of using renewable energy in the country.   The aim is to start displacing fossil fuels and replacing them with cleaner energy sources, such as solar power, to reduce carbon emissions.   There is a total installed capacity of 42 MW in place at present, which is spread across four different solar installations.   Not only has the project brought about 69 local jobs, but it has also brought with it 18 community development activities.   If all goes to plan and by providing electricity to go to the grid, this project alone could offset 34,000 tonnes of carbon each year.   Fuel-efficient cookstoves in Uganda It is estimated that a third of the world is still cooking using dangerous cooking methods, whether this be by burning charcoal, firewood or animal waste, all of which boost greenhouse gas emissions.  UpEnergy is a company based in Uganda that works in communities and areas that don’t have a lot of income flowing through them and tries to fight climate change.   One of the methods in which they do this is by their initiative Community Carbon and one of their projects is to provide families with a fuel-efficient charcoal cookstove, instead of what already exists.   These stoves can reduce daily household charcoal usage by between 45% and 55%, as a result of their improved thermal efficiency.   They can last at least five years and are also created locally, which is good for the local economy as it creates employment opportunities.   The stoves are also better for families as they are faster than the existing cooking equipment, meaning they have more free time every day. Multifix is delighted to be able to help.  Repairing water boreholes in Eritrea  Eritrea is a small country in Africa and whereas one in nine people around the globe don’t have access to clean water close to home, in Eritrea, it is basically one in five (19%).  As such, residents have to either try their luck with rivers or open wells, both of which are unsafe, or have to travel miles to find clean water.   As such, the Zoba Debub Community Boreholes project was founded for Eritrea and the aim is to give thousands of people a sustainable way of having clean water.  For those unaware, boreholes are holes that allow access to safe clean water from underground. They can be as deep as 100m, with drilling pipes being installed. Then a hand pump is fitted and that’s all there is to it.   However, most of the boreholes in Eritrea have been neglected, which means residents have been using wood fuel on stone fires to try and purify their water.  Not only is this risky, but it also releases greenhouse gas emissions from the wood. As such, the project will help people have a better way of life, while also helping the environment.   Wanting to make a difference   We wanted to step up our carbon offsetting, hence why we’ve partnered with Ecologi, but we also wanted to make a difference.   We believe that by working with Ecologi on these projects, we can go a long way towards doing that, while giving something back to the planet.   At Multifix, we are excited to see how the projects fare and find out just how much difference we can make over 12 months.   If you would like to do something with Ecologi and would like some further information, we are happy to help. You can get in contact with us by following this link.  

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Article
The Multifix 2023 sustainability report

The 2023 sustainability report for Multifix is very meaningful to us, as it shows how we’ve fared and gives you transparency on how we’re doing.   Most importantly though, it also allows us to look at ourselves and find room for improvement, which is very much on the agenda for 2024.   The results – how big was our carbon footprint?  In 2023, the carbon impact of our own-van deliveries was the equivalent of 142 tonnes.  Comparing that to others in the industry, that’s around average, but we feel that we need to be able to give something back to try and offset this.   The reason for this is that 142 tonnes is quite the impact. If you turn that into cubic metres, it works out at 78,357 cubic metres of carbon that we added to the planet.   To help you try and visualise this, that is the equivalent of 696 London buses, 39 Olympic swimming pools or 16.85 Big Ben’s.  That is a lot and it’s something that we intend on doing something about, especially with the aim to help net zero.   In comparison to other companies, it’s staggering how many tonnes are being emitted. On Black Friday 2020, Hermes/Evri emitted 58,000 tonnes of carbon on that day alone. Considering we are 142 tonnes for the year, that’s very striking.   Offsetting our carbon impact  For 2024, Multifix is doing a lot more to be sustainable. As mentioned earlier, sustainability is very important to the company. However, we want to do more.   Our plan for 2024 is to start offsetting our operational output, which we are looking to do in several different ways.   One way of doing this is by planting trees, but we are also going to be looking at helping carbon clean-ups, assist with restoring habitats and boosting renewable energy, amongst other things.   Rather than just commit to one thing, such as planting trees, we want to impact many different areas and not just for logistical reasons.   The Earth only has so much land to plant trees, so it makes sense to do other things, but we are very excited to get stuck into numerous projects that we can assist with from an environmental aspect.   You can find out more about what projects we are getting involved with here. An eye on the future  By committing to offsetting part of our carbon impact, we are hopeful that we will be making an impact not only in 2024, but for years to come.   The net-zero goal for construction is an important one and one that we take seriously. It is also one of the reasons why we have been so transparent with our sustainability figures.   The quest for improvement never stops on our end and we are certain that when it comes to 2024’s reports, they will make for much greater reading.   To see what else we are doing from a sustainability perspective, click here.

Read more → 3 min read
Article
Hiring an apprentice as an employer - what's in it for you?

You may have seen our article explaining what budding apprentices need to know about Apprentice schemes, which you can read here.   But what about the other side of the coin? Why should employers take apprentices on? What’s in it for them, at the end of it all?  In this article, we will highlight several key things employers should take into consideration when looking to hire an apprentice, as, in our view, the pros vastly outweigh the cons.  Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will be of the same opinion, as there is a lot you can gain as an employer from having apprentices around.   You’re breathing fresh life into the industry  One of the main issues with construction in the UK is that there is such a skills shortage. According to Employment Solutions, the industry is a staggering 200,000 skilled workers down from where it needs to be.   They also claim that 20% of construction workers are in their 50’s, so there is palpable concern that we will soon reach a stage where demand vastly outweighs supply.  By taking on apprentices, you are helping to plug that gap. By giving them an opportunity to grow, you’re also giving the industry a shot in the arm that it badly needs.   With the tutelage of the experienced pros at construction firms and companies, thriving apprentices will be in good hands when it comes to progressing.   By giving them a chance too, you will earn their loyalty as they will be grateful for giving them the experience, meaning your business will be looked after well by the future generation.  You get a number of financial benefits  Taking on an apprentice can be seen as something of a risk, at least in the short term while they are still getting to grips with things, so there are things in place to counteract that.   As per gov.uk, if you have an apprentice under the age of 25 and earning less than £827 a week (£45,000 a year), you will not have to pay National Insurance Contributions when it comes to the apprentice’s salary.   However, if you have an annual bill of £3M or over, you will have to contribute 0.5% of your monthly bill to the Apprentice Levy.   This isn’t all bad though, as £15,000 of that, across the year, is deductible if you take an apprentice on.  If you do not have an annual bill of £3M or more, then you don’t get the £15,000 deduction – but, assuming you haven’t exceeded the funding band maximum, you will only have to contribute 5% to the cost of training. The government will make up the other 95%.  In addition, if you choose to train a 16-18 year-old as part of an apprentice scheme, both yourself as an employer and the provider will be eligible for a £1,000 payment.  This is to entice employers to give apprentices a chance, so that everybody in the scenario benefits.  Also, if you take on an apprentice aged between 19-25 and they have been in care or have a local authority education, health and care plan, you are also due a £1,000 payment as an employer.  Finally, if you are a member of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), you are eligible to other financial boosts from taking on apprentices.   This includes payments of £2,500 per year for attendance and a £3,500 payment upon successful completion of the full apprenticeship. More information on the CITB grants can be found here.   How to enrol an apprentice  Enrolling an apprentice is done in six steps. These are as follows:  Check the eligibility of the apprentice  Sign agreements (contract of employment, apprenticeship agreement, commitment statement)  Determine a training provider  Decide what type of apprenticeship it is  Identify end-point assessments  Certification  To find out more about these six steps in detail, you can find all the gov.uk advice here. You’re making a difference Ultimately, by taking on apprentices, you are making a big difference – for many different parties, including your own.   The industry gets young people on board at a time it badly needs it, you can oversee their development and ensure the future is in good hands and have you’ll have financial gain as a result.  Again using the gov.uk link from earlier in the article, productivity has been proven to increase 76% thanks to having apprentices. That will make a huge difference for you, the apprentice and the industry.   In addition, with the right supervision, 75% of apprentices end up actually improving the quality of the work that your company is doing.   Therefore, we fully believe the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to taking onboard new apprentices. It’s also one of the reasons we’re so active with the scheme ourselves.   If you would like to talk to a member of our team that has experience with apprenticeships for further information, please feel free to get in touch with us. You can do so by following this link.  

Read more → 4 min read
Video
What is the difference between Frog Tape and the tapes that Multifix stock

In this video, Daniel shows how what the different tapes do, what they are for and give you a demonstration of quality. Tapes used in this video: Multifix Pro Blue Masking Tape 50mmx50m: https://multifixuk.com/products/high-performance-blue-masking-tape-50mm-x-50m Buff Masking Tape 25mm x 50m: https://multifixuk.com/products/masking-tape-buff-25mm-x-50m-roll-general-purpose

Read more → 6 min watch
Article
Construction and net zero – what’s going on?

One of the more regular phrases that is thrown about in the UK construction industry is ‘net zero’. A net zero target, net zero compliance, a net zero plan – these are all things you’ve likely heard or seen in the media.   You’ve also likely seen these used in a positive context, with some talking about how they are on track for their net zero goals and targets.   But what does it actually mean? What is net zero and how does it impact construction? Why is it such a big deal?  In this article, we will explain what net zero is, why it is important and how it directly impacts the construction industry in the UK.   In addition, we will also take a look at how much progress is being made in relation to some of the key targets set.   By the end of it, you’ll hopefully be more informed about net zero and understand why it’s such a hot topic in the construction industry.   So, what actually is net zero? What does it mean?  In its simplest form, net zero is designed to combat global warming. With it being proven that greenhouse gas emissions, including the likes of carbon dioxide, need to be reduced to deal with global warming, net zero was put in place to help.   However, taking away the use of greenhouse gases is pretty much impossible as it would cause everything to come to a halt overnight. For example, whenever we make steel, concrete or cement, we use greenhouse gases to do so.   As such, net zero will be achieved when we balance out what we use with what we give back. As an example, planting trees is a good way of trying to achieve net zero, or using solar power instead of fossil fuels.   Should we reach a point where what we give back to the planet is either as much or more than what we take out from it, then at that point, net zero would’ve been achieved.   But surely that’s going to be incredibly difficult with construction?  In short, yes. That is one of the reasons why it cannot be done overnight, as it just isn’t possible. As such, the target goal for net zero to be completed is by 2050.   According to the CITB, 40% of UK emissions are as a result of construction. In addition, there are 27 million homes that need retrofitting, but 80% of buildings that will still be safely habitable in 2050 are already built.   Those are some huge numbers, but ultimately, until we find more sustainable methods to produce the materials we need, it’ll struggle to come down.   As such, this is why there are 26 years to try and hit the target, as without the use of a magic wand, there’s no feasible way for it to be achieved sooner.   It also gives companies the time to figure out how they can give back to offset what they’re using, which is a more practical way of dealing with the matter in the short term.   Is the 2050 target achievable?  It is a huge challenge, but ultimately, it is possible. So much so that in Scotland, it’s 2045. It means a fair amount of change to existing processes, but it is doable.   For example, you might start to see new houses being built by using naturally grown materials, instead of the materials we currently use.   The issue is that while construction may achieve everything it sets out to do, that in itself may not be enough for the UK to hit net zero by 2050.   In June 2023, it was revealed that in addition to the Climate Change Committee declaring that the UK was no longer a world leader on climate issues, our progress is “worryingly slow”.   Naturally, this isn’t the best news, but there’s still time to rectify it and construction doing its fair share will go a long way to ensuring that.   Work to be done, but the right steps being taken What is pleasing though, is how open the construction industry has been to net zero and how aware it has been to the need to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.   Again as per the CITB, 70% of construction employees have a good idea of how to revamp and adapt their business, while 90% are more than willing to retrain if needed.   This is all positive and there may well be retraining needed, especially when it comes to using different materials, but the fact the intent is there can only be a good thing.   There will be a lot of new things to factor in as the years go by, but for now, the path to net zero does seem to be going well from a construction perspective.   Net zero is something we take seriously at Multifix. It’s caused us to rethink as a company about how we operate and that can only be a good thing. To find out more, you can see our sustainability pledges here.  

Read more → 4 min read
Article
What you need to know about construction apprenticeships

When it comes to getting into construction, one of the best ways to do this, whether it’s after leaving school or just to get into the trade, is as an apprentice.  Apprentices are the future of the industry. The tools and techniques they learn will hopefully see them pass on their wisdom years down the line to someone else in the position they once were.   The apprentice scheme is something we are passionate about at Multifix, with it being something that we follow.   The reason we do this is because apprenticeships are a great step for young people to take to get into the industry and sees them gain an education, while being paid to do so.   Therefore, in this article, we will outline the key information you have to take into account when you are looking for a construction apprenticeship.   What exactly is an apprenticeship? So, first and foremost, an apprenticeship is a paid job that lasts a minimum of 12 months and is applicable to anyone who is 16 or over.   It’s a mixture of practical and academic learning and you’ll be working under experienced staff members, who have been in the field for years.   If you have a full-time apprenticeship, you’ll be working 30-40 hours a week and during this time, you will be given tasks to do, in addition to your work duties.   On average, you’ll spend about six hours a week doing off-the-job training, which can include coursework.   How many types of apprenticeships are there available?  There are four different types of apprenticeships, varying in different levels of what they can unlock for you. These are:  - Intermediate (Level 2) - Advanced (Level 3) - Higher level (Levels 4, 5 and 6) - Degree level (Level 7)  Intermediate is the equivalent of five GCSEs at 9-4 level, or in old money, A*-C. Advanced is the equivalent of two A-Levels or a Level 3 Diploma and Higher level is the equivalent of a Foundation degree.   The degree level itself is the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree. Each stage will have their own entry requirements, which will be made clear to you before you apply.   In this sense, it’s no different applying for a job that asks for x qualification or y years of experience, but naturally, with Intermediate, you are likely to find much fewer requirements than for degree level.   How do I get an apprenticeship? There are a few ways to get an apprenticeship sorted, but be aware that it is no different to applying for a job. There is a lot of competition and it’ll likely require applications to multiple companies.   Online is the best bet, especially on job-seeking websites like Indeed or TotalJobs. It’s also worth looking at LinkedIn, too.   Also, by using TalentView, you can directly apply for construction apprenticeships You can find out more and do so here.  If you’re still in school or college, it’s very much worth speaking to people there as they will be able to put you in contact with potential employers.   In the same manner, asking friends and family is another good way. So much of how the world works is based on who you know, so if you have a family friend or a relative who can maybe help you, it’s certainly a path worth exploring.   Another good way is to look at construction companies’ websites and see if they have any apprenticeship listings on there. Keeping your finger on the pulse of their social activity can help with that too, as some will post job listings on social media.   Finally, it’s worth noting that depending on certain circumstances, it’s possible that a hiring company can earn up to £14,000 by taking you on as an apprentice. They would earn this money through either the Construction Industry Training Board or the UK Government.  This can be used as a sales pitch by you, as if they get the full amount, that will offset a significant proportion of your wages.   If I get one sorted, what happens when it finishes? A number of things can happen at this point, but what is guaranteed is that you will get a qualification for completing your apprenticeship.   This makes you more employable and is something you can take anywhere with you. At the end of your apprenticeship though, your employer may wish to offer you full-time employment if they are happy with you.  Alternatively, you could be put onto a higher-level apprenticeship with them, which further bolsters your skills and gives you more strings to your bow. It’s also very likely that you’ll earn more money being on a higher-level apprenticeship as well, so that’s always a good thing.   Equally, you may feel as if you want to explore further options. You may want to pursue an apprenticeship elsewhere, or work for someone else. In this case, you’ll still have the qualification, so you’ll be well-prepped.   The future of construction Apprentices have a huge part to play in any sector, but that statement is especially prevalent in the construction industry.  Whether you want to be a carpenter, bricklayer, site manager or any of the other many, many roles within the sector, one of the best ways to go about it is via the apprenticeship route.   Hopefully after reading this article, you’ll have some more information about the scheme and who knows, maybe it’ll be the first step on what could be a long and successful journey in construction.   If you would like to find more information about Multifix’s apprenticeship scheme, which we mentioned earlier on in the article, you can get in touch with us here.  

Read more → 5 min read
Article
The pros and cons of going on trial with a supplier

There are a number of things that have to be considered when switching your supplier. Cost, range, service, experience – it all needs to be weighed up.   As such, it makes it extremely important that you make the right decision when you choose your supplier, otherwise you can encounter some unwanted surprises.  However, there is a way that you can gain all the information you need, without fully committing to a supplier from the jump.   By entering a trial period with a supplier, you can find out exactly what you need to know yourself, without fully committing.   But is this always a good idea? Is it maybe best to just take a plunge with someone and not get tangled up in a trial that may not go the way you want it to?  In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of trialling a new supplier and how it can benefit or hamper you.   It is worth noting that we do offer trial runs here at Multifix, but we will remain as objective as possible for this article.   Pros of going on trial with a supplier  As mentioned above, it’s so vital to get the right supplier for your business, but ultimately you won’t know which one is best until you try a few.   A trial period gives you a perfect opportunity to assess everything with a company before actually fully committing to it.   You will have the opportunity to meet their staff, find out exactly how they work and see what they can do for you.   A trial period can also be controlled well on your part. Not many suppliers would expect to take over all your business instantly, so you’ll be able to control what sites you’d be keen to test with the trial supplier.   This again gives you a chance to see with your own eyes how the supplier can integrate with your business, as opposed to taking someone’s word for it.  From this perspective, there are many positives to be had from a trial run with a supplier, as the knowledge it can grant you is huge.   It also allows you to build and grow relationships with the supplier, so if you do choose to stick with them, you’re already feeling comfortable with who you’re working with.   Cons of going on trial with a supplier  The main issue about trialling a new supplier is that if you have an existing one, it is likely to rock the boat with them a bit.   They are likely to notice a drop in revenue, which will happen if you allocate a trial site to the new supplier, so will be eager to speak to you about that.   As such, this can lead to some uncomfortable conversations. In addition to that, if you trial with an unreliable supplier, it can have a knock-on effect for you.   While you may only be giving a trial to one site, if you start to get delays or delivery issues, that will make that project very difficult to get done on time.   The flipside of that is you’ll know from the trial period not to work with that supplier, but knowing that for certain will come at the cost of possible disruption.   Is a trial run right for you?  While we cannot decide for you whether it is wise to engage in a trial period with a supplier, we are of the opinion that the pros outweigh the cons.   There is so much to be gained from a trial period with a supplier and ultimately, if you’re looking to be in business for many years, you’re going to need someone you can trust.   It’s incredibly difficult to just do that by picking a supplier, even with word of mouth recommendations, so a trial period is very helpful in that regards.   Even the cons that we have listed can be turned into positives, as if it goes wrong, you have that knowledge and that can only help you as a business owner.   As mentioned at the start of the article, we do offer trial runs at Multifix. If you would like to find out more about how to start one, please get in contact with us here.  

Read more → 4 min read
Article
What is the process for ordering at Multifix?

If you are here reading this, there’s a good chance that you’re prepared and willing to use Multifix as a supplier, which is brilliant news!  One of the things we love about being a supplier is playing a small part in some truly exciting and innovative projects. But how can you actually order with us?  The short answer is that there are four ways of note that you can order with us. They are by phone, by email, online or by using WhatsApp.   However, some of these options require a bit more than just calling up or firing over an email. This is especially the case for online and WhatsApp ordering.   In this article, we will explore the four ways you can order with us in a bit more depth, so that you are fully aware of your options.   1. By phone As has been the case for 30 years and counting, one of the main methods of ordering with us is via the phone. You can reach us on 020 3248 4086. When you call, you’ll be put in touch with one of our expert customer service team. Depending on what sector you’re in (brickwork, firestopping, carpentry, other), you’ll be directed to one of our specialists so they can take your call.  The reason why it’ll be pointed to a specialist is because we want to make sure that the order is 100% right.   Our specialists have extensive product knowledge, so if you’re unsure of the exact item you need, it’s useful to have someone who understands what you mean.   In construction, we use loose terms all the time to describe what we need, so it’s helpful to speak to someone who knows what you mean.   As a result of that, the chances of you getting an incorrect item on your order are very low. Our call times are 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday.   2. By email If you don’t want to physically speak to us for whatever reason, that’s more than fine as you can make the order via email.   If you would like to place an order by email, the email address to use is [email protected].   Much like with the phone system, depending on what sector you are looking to place an order in, your email will find the respective specialist.   From there, they will place the order for you and you will get an email confirmation soon after explaining some of the payment terms.   If you are looking for a quote, we aim to get all quotes back to you within 30 minutes, so keep an eye on your emails after you’ve made your request!  3. Online This is where things start to get a little more advanced. On our website, we have our entire catalogue online and you are free to choose whatever you’d like to order.   There are two ways of ordering online; the first is by registering an account and then by using our customer portal. The customer portal is a relatively recent feature that we have and allows you a huge amount of control.   Once you have signed up to the portal, you can place orders, set up requisitions, make a list of approved items and outline your favourite products.   In addition to providing control through requisitions and approved items, the portal also boosts speed. Once you have your favourite products set up, for example, you can place an order within 30 seconds.   You can also track your order, download order PDFs and find proof of delivery on the portal. To find out how to get set up with the customer portal and to see some of the features that it has, you can find our onboarding guide here.  However, you do not need to have an account to be able to place an order. If you wish, you can just go online, pick what you want and then check out, as you would with any other online store.  4. WhatsApp Finally, you can also place orders with us on WhatsApp. Our WhatsApp number is 07384 816482 and if necessary, we can set up a group with all relevant approvers for you.    Ordering via WhatsApp is no different to ordering by email, in that we will allocate our respective customer service specialists to your query, depending on what it is you’re ordering.   Much like with phones, our WhatsApp channels are operated between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. It works in the same way a live chat would, so you’ll have a human operator on the other end to assist you.   Speaking of live chat, we do have that as a function if you come unstuck using the portal at any point – that is also manned by the customer service team.   Giving you plenty of choice for ordering One of the reasons why we have tried to expand our ordering options, aside from moving with the times, is to give you as much choice as possible.   We understand that different people prefer to do things differently and in most cases, it’s generally what’s easiest for them.   The important thing though, is being versatile enough to offer you something different, so you aren’t pushed into ordering in a way that isn’t suited for you.   If you would like to know exactly where on the map our delivery range can reach, you can find out where we deliver to here.  

Read more → 4 min read
Article
What your payment terms and credit limits are

As a customer, it’s only right and fair that you know absolutely everything beforehand. We don’t want you to have hidden surprises, so we’ll always be as transparent as possible.   We believe that honesty is the best policy, so wherever possible, we’ll always try and give you what you need to make an informed decision.   That certainly applies when it comes to buying from us, as there are a few things that we are asked with regularity before purchase.   In particular, the two things we frequently get are, ‘What are your payment terms?’ and ‘How much credit can I get with Multifix?’   The short answer to these questions is ’30 days net EOM’ and ‘depends on your credit rating’, however, the long answer is somewhat more nuanced.   As such, this article will explain our reasoning for both and by the end of it, you’ll hopefully be much more informed.   The Multifix payment terms At Multifix, we do like to trust our customers and give them some financial leeway when they come to use us as a supplier.   As such, regardless of whether you’re a first-time buyer or a loyal client, whether you’re buying one box of screws or a £25k order, we’ll always give you net 30 days end of month to pay.   This means that will have 30 days from the beginning of the following month to pay for what you have ordered with us.   We understand that sometimes, you need something urgently. As such, the buy now, pay later scheme can be very helpful.  That is why we have the policy in place, as ultimately, we want to make sure that you have the best service possible from us.   The Multifix credit limits  When it comes to credit limits, there are three different ways we can set your credit limit. The first is by asking credit insurers for a written limit. This is the most preferable way, however not the only one.   The reason why it is most preferable is that while we have three methods, the written limit is the only one that isn’t capped at £18,000, including VAT. There is no cap for a written limit, as we have more assurances in place.   The second method is a discretionary limit. In order to work this out, we will use a third-party credit intelligence company to determine what we can give you. We use Creditsafe, which is regularly used by other suppliers within the construction industry.   The third method is based on your trading history. We will take your biggest payment over the last 12 months, multiply it by 1.25 and use that figure to determine what we can allow you.   Being open with the financials  As we stated earlier, we want to be completely transparent with you when it comes to financial factors such as credit limits and payment terms.   It’s something that you need to know and we don’t want you to feel as if it’s something awkward to ask about.   Hopefully though, with everything in this article, you’ll know exactly where you stand when it comes to both of these topics. Should you wish to find out more about how your credit account works though, you can read more here.   If you would like to speak to Multifix to find out more about our credit limits or payment terms, you can get in touch with us here.  

Read more → 3 min read
Article
Key tips to consider when changing suppliers

The decision to change your supplier isn’t an easy one. There are benefits, of course – some of which you can read here – but it’s not a decision you suddenly jump to.   As humans, we always want to be patient with people and give them a chance. It’s generally rare that people leave a long-standing supplier on a whim because of one isolated incident.   Instead, it’s a combination of many things. In our sector, it’ll be unreliable deliveries, a lack of product range, contentious pricing and an impersonal approach.   These won’t be one-off instances either, it’ll be prolonged to the point where you decide enough is enough and that you want to try something different.   But what do you do once you’ve decided to call it a day? How do you move from one supplier to another smoothly and without issues?  In this article, we will offer three key tips that you should bear in mind when you’re actively looking to change suppliers.   By taking them onboard, you will hopefully have an incident-free switchover!  Research, research, research The phrase “out of the frying pan and into the fire” is very applicable when looking to switch suppliers. The last thing you want is to have a honeymoon period and then discover you’ve got the same issues as before.   As such, it’s imperative you take the time to fully research your prospective new supplier before you make the switch.   Granted, this may take a lot of time, but it’s worth it as it protects you from repeating the same mistake twice.   Pore over every detail on their website and talk to people who use them and ask for detailed answers. Alternatively, you could even engage in a trial period if that’s something on offer.   By doing this level of research, you can find out exactly how that supplier works, so there are no hidden surprises if you switch to them.   To give another phrase, “fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” If you just switch to someone without researching, you run a huge risk.   Be bold with your communication  At some point, you are going to have to speak to your existing supplier and explain that you’re going to move to a new one.   It’s not exactly a comfortable conversation to have, but it’s one that you need to do. It’s also one that you could contractually have to do, depending on if you have a written agreement with them.   At this stage, your existing supplier will likely try to entice you to stay with them and one way of doing so could be by slashing your prices.   This will pose a new decision for you to have to make, but if you choose to stick to your guns and change all the same, then you will have to explain why.   Even if you don’t contact them first, they will likely get in touch with you when they realise that your spend has stopped. As such, the conversation is unavoidable, so it’s best to do it on your terms.   Outline a plan so it’s a smooth transition  With everything sorted, you’ll need to ensure that everything is in place for a smooth transition. It’s vital your business has as little disruption as possible, so you’ll need to be organised.   The biggest thing to sort out will be delivery times. Even though your logistics may be having some disruption in that you’re changing suppliers, your projects can’t.   It’s therefore best to outline at the start what projects you’ll be needing your new supplier for in the immediate short term, before planning longer-term projects with them.   Make sure everyone in your team is up to speed so they know what to expect, as certain operational things could be very different.   For example, they might have to sign for a delivery now, or be alerted by a driver that they’re 10 minutes out with your parcel.   Doing what’s best for you  As we said at the start of the article, deciding to switch suppliers isn’t an easy decision to make. It also indicates that you’ve been fed up for some time, which is something no-one wants.   However, by doing due diligence on a new supplier, you can remove all of those issues and find a more efficient method of doing your projects.   That’s what these three tips are designed to do as ultimately, we want what is best for you and want you to be happy with your supplier.   If you are interested in finding out what Multifix can offer you as a supplier, you can get in contact with a member of our expert team here.  

Read more → 4 min read
Article
How does my credit account work?

Why would I want a credit account? Having an account will allow you to be able to control and free up your cashflow. You can ask for flexible terms and receive ‘buy more, save more’ pricing. How do I open an account? Apply for a credit account by completing this application form. Once you have filled in your details, submit your application.   Your application will then be assessed - we use Credit Safe for all our credit intelligence.  As soon as it has been approved, you will be notified via email. Can I have a 60-day account? When you open an account, you will automatically be given a 30-day account. You can request a 45-day or 60-day account, but this will need to be approved separately. How will I know what to pay and when? Once your ordered goods have been despatched for delivery, an invoice is created. Your invoices will be emailed to you about once a week.  Twice a month (mid-month and the beginning of the month) you will receive a statement of your account.  If your account is a 30-day term account, you will need to pay the amount in the 60 day column. Payment is expected after you receive your beginning of the month statement. What must I do if I cannot pay my account? If you find yourself in a tight spot with cashflow and cannot pay your account, contact us at [email protected] and let us know.  We can only work with you if we know what the situation is. What happens if my non-payment continues? If no payment has been made for 60 days after its due date, we will unfortunately have to put your account on stop/hold until a payment is made.   This is as per our credit insurance policy. We really don’t like to get to this stage with our customers, but we need to follow this process to mitigate our risk. What happens if my account reaches 90 days non-payment? If still no payment has been made, we will now, as per our credit control insurance policy, unfortunately be obliged to report your account to our credit insurers.   When we report your account, we send a claim to our insurance company for your outstanding money, and they in turn will send you a claim with fees and interest.  Once we send our claim email to our credit insurers, we lose your credit limit and cannot easily get it reinstated.   We will then have to work with a tight discretionary limit or a cash account, dependant on your circumstances.   We really don’t like to get to this stage with our customers, as it’s a loss for both parties, but we do need to follow this process to mitigate risk.  At Multifix are happy to to do business with you. We are also happy to help your through tough times, so don’t hesitate to contact [email protected] and let us know your situation. We can work it through together.

Read more → 2 min read
Article
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.   At Multifix, our core values are customer first, honesty, having a positive mindset, appreciation, to be responsible and to show humility. These have stood us in good stead and we believe will continue to do so.  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.   We model our service on an Olympic relay team, in that each part of the ordering process is handled with speed, importance and as we'll come onto now, reliability.  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 when we say they're going to. 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.   Don't just take our word for it though; you can find our customer testimonials here.  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. You can find our portal onboarding guides here.  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.

Read more → 5 min read
Article
A thank you from us to you

With 2023 coming to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for everything over the last 12 months.   We’ve had a lot of interactions, a lot of feedback and delivered a lot of products! We really appreciate you and would also like to thank all of you who have filled out our customer survey.   Your views are really important to us and help us grow as a company, so we’re thankful you’ve taken time out of your busy schedules to partake. If you haven’t done so yet, it’s not too late – you can complete the survey here. Thanks to you though, we’ve been able to achieve some big milestones in 2023, which will help make our service even better.   In this article, we will recap some of our highlights from 2023 and explain how they can be of huge benefit to you.   We expanded our brickwork range  2023 saw Multifix expand our brickwork range! One specific example of this is the addition of Ancon high-rise solutions, which will help us be a better supplier.   Despite being relative newcomers to the sector, we’ve managed to team up with esteemed brands such as Visqueen and ARC, in addition to Ancon, as we look to offer a comprehensive range.   Behind the scenes, we’ve added a lot of specialist knowledge to our task force. This is so we can continue to give you expert advice on your queries and concerns. As a result of choosing this sector, we are determined to learn all about it so that we can provide specialist support.   By and large, it feels like we’ve largely done that and it’s been great to see you take to the new range well and trust us to be your supplier.   We’re still in the early stages of our brickwork project, but you can expect to see us add more to our product range over time.   We’ve expanded our own van routes  You asked, we listened! 2023 saw our own van service grow, as we have now successfully expanded our geographic reach.   These past 12 months have seen us send our fleet of vans to the south-west with regularity, including to Oxford and parts of Gloucestershire.   Expanding our van range has been something you always enquire about and something that we always try to do, so to be able to do so this year was momentous for us.   This is important as it means we can provide a better and more personable delivery service for you, while covering more parts of the country.   We’re always looking at ways we can expand our own van range we’re adding at least three more vans to our fleet, so keep an eye out on the roads in 2024 for a Multifix van!     We retained our FORS Silver accreditation   To add a level of buyer’s security to our delivery service, we have been FORS Silver accredited for a few years now. FORS stands for Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme and is a voluntary accreditation scheme that is designed to drive up standards.   Getting silver is important for many reasons, but it is perhaps best described by the description itself.   “Silver accreditation confirms that you employ good practice and comply with the requirements laid out by the FORS standard,” it reads, as per the FORS website. “By achieving FORS Silver accreditation, your fleet will be compliant with the CLOCS Standard for Construction Logistics and with TfL’s WRRR (Work Related Road Risk).”  As such, we were delighted to achieve Silver again in 2023 and at the very least, will be aiming to achieve the same result in 2024.   We’re putting things in place to deliver nationwide  Perhaps one of the biggest things that is of benefit to you is that as of 2023, Multifix are now primed to deliver all over the country.  It doesn’t matter if you are in Newcastle or Newquay, if you wish to order with us, we will help you, no matter where you’re situated in England.   There are two caveats to this, however. The first is that you will not necessarily have your goods delivered to you by our own vans. You can see their delivery routes here.  Instead, anything outside of our own van range will be delivered by courier. This enables us to cover the entire country, rather than limiting our services.   In a dream scenario, we will have own vans all over the country, but for now, couriers that we trust will be the order of the day.   The second is that this only applies to brickwork and firestopping. We are working on going nationwide for carpentry, but need to iron out a few details first.   We had our first exhibition  Finally, 2023 saw us exhibit at a major event for the first time in our 30-year history. We had our own stand at FIREX located next to our firestopping partners, Protecta.  This was groundbreaking for us and it was great to meet some of you in person to discuss the firestopping solutions that we stock.   Events of that scale always represent a brilliant opportunity to meet new people and explain what we do, with both events proving successful for us.   It remains to be seen whether we will be participating in any events for 2024, but it will certainly be something to think about.   We’d also like to thank all of those who came by our stand to find out more about us, Protecta and their firestopping solutions.   A very positive 12 months It’s been a big year of firsts for Multifix and all of those firsts were with you in mind. First forays into the southwest, first consistent nationwide deliveries and first exhibitions.  All of these steps have been taken to make sure that you get the very best service possible and we are very excited to see what we can achieve in 2024.   With all that in mind, we would like to thank you once again for helping us grow in 2023. We really do value your feedback and suggestions, so please keep telling us them.   The best way to get your thoughts over to us in the short term is through our customer survey. If you would like to partake, you can do so here.

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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.  

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