"The people working there are awesome, outstanding. Its been nothing but pleasure working with you" - watch more of Dimitars experince. Although Dimitar has since moved jobs, he still remains a firm fan of Multifix!
At Multifix, we are very proud of our customer portal. We believe that it can make things much more efficient for you and have tailored it specifically for you, to make life much easier. However, there are some of you who are a little on the fence as to whether it’s worth your time. Of course, there are some who don’t want to use it full stop and that is fine. After all, what if it isn’t the best option for you? That has to be the number one question ultimately, as we want our service to be tailored for you. We know a few of you are toying with the idea, but just haven’t leapt in yet. That could be down to time or it could be down to not being fully sure it can be a better solution for you. With that in mind, we have put together this article, which explains some of the main differences between using the portal and not. Come the end of the article, you’ll hopefully have more of an idea as to what you can do with the portal, compared to ordering normally. Setting up approved items When it comes to asserting control over your site procurement, having a list of approved items is a great start. Whether it’s because you’re working with a certain brand or because you only want to buy what you need, it’s a very useful tool. On the portal, setting up an approved items list is very easy. It can be done in seconds and from that point onwards, that’ll be all people can order from. You can also edit and change this list as you see fit, depending on how and when the project you’re working on changes. However, you can also do all of this by phoning up. Naturally, this takes more time, but you can tell one of our customer service team what you only want available and they can action that for you. Winner – draw, although the portal is faster Item tracking It is true that you can call up and ask for order tracking and for an estimated time of arrival, however, this is much better with the portal. On the portal, you can see exactly where your driver is with a live estimated time of arrival, which only takes a few seconds to check. This keeps you in the loop all the way through and doesn’t take too much time out of your day. When you call to ask about where your order is, our staff will use the portal tracking technology! Much like with approved items then, you can phone up and find out, however it takes longer than checking through the portal. Winner – portal Order speed At Multifix, we like to think that our customer service team is very knowledgeable. They know their products, they’re very experienced and that naturally cuts down the risk of getting the wrong thing. However, you can eliminate that small risk entirely by using the portal. You can cherry pick exactly what items you want and in whatever quantity you please. If you’ve set up favourite items or requisitions too, you can be extra quick. In fact, it’s possible to place an order within 30 seconds via the portal. Of course, our customer service team will strive to be as quick as possible when taking your order, but you’ll be able to do it quicker on the portal. Winner – portal Talking to someone If you get stuck at any point on the portal, or would like some additional information, then there is a live chat option on the website. This will put you in direct contact with one of our customer service team, who will be replying to your queries and concerns from behind a keyboard in real-time. But we appreciate that isn’t necessarily the most human. There’s nothing quite like physically speaking to someone and having a bit of a chat in amongst business operations. As much as we try to replicate that with our live chat, it’s just not the same. So, if you are looking to physically talk to someone, then there is only one winner. Winner – calling up Making things as easy as possible for you In our eyes, the portal is a winner. We really think it can help you do things faster, better and more efficiently. However, it’s all about what is best for you. If you are very happy not using the portal, then it’s a case of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. After all, we feel that there is certainly room for both. Our customer service team will always be happy to take your call and discuss things via that route if that works best for you. That being said, we are confident that once you start using the portal, you’ll appreciate it for what it can do for you. If you are interested in getting set up with the portal, then you can view our onboarding guides here. Equally, if you wish to get in contact with us, please do so here.
One of the main reasons we are still going strong after 30 years is because we have valued clients who trust us. And gaining trust in the construction industry isn’t a given, it’s something we deeply appreciate. Trust is crucial because without it, relationships crumble. If you feel you can’t trust your supplier to be reliable or to deliver good products, then you’ll be looking elsewhere. So, why do people trust us at Multifix? It’s a difficult question for us to answer, as we can’t speak for other people and their experiences. However, there are a few things that we do as a company that may explain why we are fortunate enough to be trusted. In this article, we will highlight three of the things we think have led to this. Without the three things we’re going to mention, we’re not sure we would’ve gained your trust. We are reliable It can be very easy for a company to declare that they are reliable, but it’s how they back it up that matters. Talk is cheap, after all. We believe that we can back our claim up. 99.3% of our deliveries that we make, through our fleet of vans, turn up when we say they are going to. In addition, 75% of those orders are at your door before 12pm midday. Also, through our customer portal, you have the ability to track every order that we send out. This means you can be kept fully up to speed when your order is on the go. We also take picture proof of every successful delivery, while also requiring a signature upon arrival. This means that you can rest assured your parcel is in good hands and not just left somewhere. The reason why we do all of this is because we know how much late or incorrect deliveries can hamper you. They cause backlogs, they can hit you in the pocket and they are a nightmare. As such, we take several measures to ensure that you get what you’ve ordered on the day we’ve agreed to deliver it to you. We care about you Again, this is a statement that most companies will proudly make and stand behind. But whether they can prove that is another matter. As with our reliability claim, we believe that we can prove this. Relationships are so crucial to this industry and we work exceptionally hard to grow ours. We have a dedicated, experienced and caring customer service team, who are always available during the working day and are always happy to help. They have extensive product knowledge, so the chances of you getting the wrong product is very slim. Meanwhile, our account managers are all very personable and will take the time to get to know you. Things that might not seem like a big deal, such as remembering your name and what interests you, go a long way. If you’re happy with the service you’re getting, you’re going to want to come back. It’s the same with anything, from restaurants to construction suppliers. Our team will go out of their way to make sure you’re treated as a person and not as a number. They want to get to know you, they want to give you the best service possible and they want to help. We give power and control to you One common bugbear is that some of you have found your budget being drained because of a lack of control over site procurement. Site staff ordering things without your consent or over-ordering are both huge problems and can have big ramifications for you. However, we aren’t just happy to sit and take your money in these situations. Other companies might be, as to them it just may be another order and money in the bank, but we want the very best for you. That’s why we have given you the option to take the power back over site procurement. With Multifix, you have the ability to control what your team can order. You can set up a list of approved products via the portal, which completely limits what your staff can order. This means they’ll only be able to request products you know are needed. In addition, you can set up requisitions. This allows you to review orders before they are placed, so you have full control over how your budget is spent. If you are not using the portal or don’t wish to, you can still do this. All you have to do is give us a ring and explain what items/brands you want to be unavailable for your team and we will action that. When you shop with Multifix, we want you to only be getting what you need. By giving you the option for full control over procurement, we hope that ensures it. Putting you first for three decades and counting There is a very common theme with all three of the points that we have listed; that we put you first and foremost in our plans. We know that late or missed deliveries can cause chaos, so we do all we can to ensure they get there on time. We know that people like to be valued, so we want our staff to be personable. Finally, we know that people want to control their spend, which is why we tailored the portal around you. As we said at the start of the article, we can’t speak for other people and why they trust us. But, we feel these things are all crucial factors. However, please don’t just take our word for it. If you would like to see some of our customer testimonials, including from clients such as the All England Group and RK Joinery, then you can watch those here.
One of the main reasons we are still going strong after 30 years is because we have valued clients who trust us. And gaining trust in the construction industry isn’t a given, it’s something we deeply appreciate. Trust is crucial because without it, relationships crumble. If you feel you can’t trust your supplier to be reliable or to deliver good products, then you’ll be looking elsewhere. So, why do people trust us at Multifix? It’s a difficult question for us to answer, as we can’t speak for other people and their experiences. However, there are a few things that we do as a company that may explain why we are fortunate enough to be trusted. In this article, we will highlight three of the things we think have led to this. Without the three things we’re going to mention, we’re not sure we would’ve gained your trust. We are reliable It can be very easy for a company to declare that they are reliable, but it’s how they back it up that matters. Talk is cheap, after all. We believe that we can back our claim up. 99.3% of our deliveries that we make, through our fleet of vans, turn up when we say they are going to. In addition, 75% of those orders are at your door before 12pm midday. Also, through our customer portal, you have the ability to track every order that we send out. This means you can be kept fully up to speed when your order is on the go. We also take picture proof of every successful delivery, while also requiring a signature upon arrival. This means that you can rest assured your parcel is in good hands and not just left somewhere. The reason why we do all of this is because we know how much late or incorrect deliveries can hamper you. They cause backlogs, they can hit you in the pocket and they are a nightmare. As such, we take several measures to ensure that you get what you’ve ordered on the day we’ve agreed to deliver it to you. We care about you Again, this is a statement that most companies will proudly make and stand behind. But whether they can prove that is another matter. As with our reliability claim, we believe that we can prove this. Relationships are so crucial to this industry and we work exceptionally hard to grow ours. We have a dedicated, experienced and caring customer service team, who are always available during the working day and are always happy to help. They have extensive product knowledge, so the chances of you getting the wrong product is very slim. Meanwhile, our account managers are all very personable and will take the time to get to know you. Things that might not seem like a big deal, such as remembering your name and what interests you, go a long way. If you’re happy with the service you’re getting, you’re going to want to come back. It’s the same with anything, from restaurants to construction suppliers. Our team will go out of their way to make sure you’re treated as a person and not as a number. They want to get to know you, they want to give you the best service possible and they want to help. We give power and control to you One common bugbear is that some of you have found your budget being drained because of a lack of control over site procurement. Site staff ordering things without your consent or over-ordering are both huge problems and can have big ramifications for you. However, we aren’t just happy to sit and take your money in these situations. Other companies might be, as to them it just may be another order and money in the bank, but we want the very best for you. That’s why we have given you the option to take the power back over site procurement. With Multifix, you have the ability to control what your team can order. You can set up a list of approved products via the portal, which completely limits what your staff can order. This means they’ll only be able to request products you know are needed. In addition, you can set up requisitions. This allows you to review orders before they are placed, so you have full control over how your budget is spent. If you are not using the portal or don’t wish to, you can still do this. All you have to do is give us a ring and explain what items/brands you want to be unavailable for your team and we will action that. When you shop with Multifix, we want you to only be getting what you need. By giving you the option for full control over procurement, we hope that ensures it. Putting you first for three decades and counting There is a very common theme with all three of the points that we have listed; that we put you first and foremost in our plans. We know that late or missed deliveries can cause chaos, so we do all we can to ensure they get there on time. We know that people like to be valued, so we want our staff to be personable. Finally, we know that people want to control their spend, which is why we tailored the portal around you. As we said at the start of the article, we can’t speak for other people and why they trust us. But, we feel these things are all crucial factors. However, please don’t just take our word for it. If you would like to see some of our customer testimonials, including from clients such as the All England Group and RK Joinery, then you can watch those here.
"Multifix stands out because it's reacted to the changes in demands of its customers", this is just one quote! Watch for more about his long-lasting loyalty to the Multifix team!
It’s very easy to persist with your supplier, even when things maybe aren’t going as well as you’d hoped for. You don’t have to sort out any new paperwork, there’s no new people to get to know and above all else, there’s no change. Lots of people don’t like change and maybe the grass isn’t always greener. However, with a new supplier, things could be a lot better for you. After all, no-one likes being treated like a number and that can change with a new environment. There are several perks to joining a new supplier and generally speaking, they more often than not outweigh the pros of staying put. In this article, we will identify three ways that changing suppliers can have a big boost for you and your business. 1. You’ll likely get better service, in more ways than one A new environment will bring new relationships and what you’ll likely find is that your prospective new supplier will be very grateful for your new choice. Whether you engage in a trial period or otherwise, you’ll likely find that the staff are very keen to have you on board and that’ll show in your service. The best suppliers will make sure this isn’t a one-off welcoming period and is constant throughout, but it will still be an upgrade to being treated like a number. In addition, you may find that by going to a new supplier, their delivery service is much more reliable. Missed or late deliveries can cause huge complications, so finding one who understands that will be a huge improvement. In addition, there could be other factors that make your deliveries a much smoother operation. For example, being able to track your order or receiving a courtesy phone call before delivery. 2. The product range may be better with a different supplier One of the main reasons why people seek out different suppliers is not so much price, but because of the quality of product available. Whether this is in relation to the products themselves or the types of brands that are being stocked by a supplier, the quality of the product at your disposal could be much better. As well as that, you may find that another supplier has a much more expanded range than what you’re previously using. This opens up more possibilities for you, some of which could be cost-effective. This is an especially pertinent point if you are somewhat underwhelmed by the current range of products you have with your current supplier. While you could of course split suppliers, having all of your eggs in one basket with a supplier with a wide range is possibly a better option. 3. You may find the terms and conditions better with a new supplier Whether it’s a small or a big order, having reasonable payment terms is very important, especially in construction with so many moving parts. As such, when you switch to a new supplier, you may find that the payment terms with your new supplier are better than with your existing one. For example, that supplier may have it in place that you have 30 days to pay for any order, whether it’s £4 or £400. Going back to delivery as well, you may find that the majority of your orders turn up before 12pm midday with a new supplier. These terms and conditions can have a big impact on your business, so if they are benefitting you more, that can only be a good thing for you. Getting the very most from your supplier Ultimately, it all comes down to what you want. As we said at the start, it can be very easy to just accept your situation because it’s what you know and it’s what you’re used to. However, that doesn’t have to be the case and you can likely find better from a different supplier – if, of course, you are feeling that way. There’s no reason why you can’t have a thriving and positive relationship with your supplier, where you feel valued and more than just a number. If you would like to get in touch with a member of staff to discuss how we could be a supplier for you, you can do so by clicking this link.
Deliveries are the lifeblood of any business, so the key question after making an order is always, “When will it turn up?” This is especially the case with construction. Missed or late deliveries can lead to delays, which subsequently hits you straight in the pocket. As such, that question of ‘when will it turn up?’ is especially valid when you’re on a site. However, in our case, there are a few different answers to that question. There are a few variable factors that have to be taken into consideration when you order with us, which can impact your delivery time. This includes whether you’ve ordered next-day delivery or not, or whether you’re in reach of our fleet of vans or not. You can find out where our fleet of vans will travel to here. If you’ve ordered before 4pm, you will be eligible for next-day delivery. However, if you order between 4pm and 5pm, depending on your order, we may be able to squeeze it in next day. In this article, we will pinpoint your most likely time of arrival for a parcel, depending on how you’ve ordered with us. It is worth noting that all orders can be tracked via the customer portal, but we understand that you need to have a vague idea of an arrival time upon purchase. I’m in geographic reach of your vans and I’ve ordered next-day delivery – when can I expect my order? In this scenario, first and foremost, you can expect to have your parcel the next day. What’s more is that it is likely to arrive before 12pm midday. We say this because 75% of our deliveries are on site before 12pm midday. While we cannot say for certain that you’ll be part of the 75%, there is a very good chance you will be. In fact, in some instances, we’ve delivered to sites before you’ve even started to work! You’ll be able to find out for certain via the customer portal, but we strive for that window. Speed is one of our core principles at Multifix and we want you to have your order as early as possible, so that you can get your jobs done faster. As with every delivery, you can expect a call from one of our drivers when they are 10 minutes out, but in regards to time, there’s a high chance it arrives before midday. I’m still in geographic reach, but I’ve missed the next-day delivery deadline. When can I expect my order? So, this depends on when you’ve actually placed the order and what you’ve ordered. If you’ve put in for a small order between 4pm and 5pm, there is a chance you may still get it the next day. However, we cannot guarantee this. It goes without saying though that we will try our best to make sure you can get it as quickly as possible. If you have put in for a large order between 4pm and 5pm and it requires a pallet, then it will be too late for the next day. As an example then, if you’ve put in a large order after 4pm or made an order at like 6pm on a Monday, your goods will be delivered to you on the Wednesday. It’s the same logic over the weekend, too. So if you are outside the next-day delivery ordering times and you place an order on the Friday, you will get it on the Tuesday. I am out of your van’s geographic reach, but I’ve ordered for next-day delivery. When will my order arrive? This one is a little harder to predict. While Multifix now delivers nationwide, our own vans don’t go nationwide – yet, anyway. It’s certainly something in the pipeline, but not something we can offer this second. As such, the areas we can’t get to, we send a courier to. This takes away a large element of our control. Things that we would do as standard; for example, calling you 10 minutes before and doing our best to get your order to you before midday, we can’t ensure. What we can ensure is that if you have ordered for the next day and live out of our reach, you will get it the next day, as promised. We will do all we can to make sur your delivery is with you before 12pm midday, as we would with the vans in our control, but we can’t definitively say. I haven’t ordered for next-day delivery, but I’m out of your geographic reach. When can I expect my order? Much like if you have ordered next-day delivery, if you are out of the van geographic region, then your goods will be sent to you via courier. They will be sent two days after order; so if you order late on a Monday, they’ll be there on a Wednesday. In the same vein as with own-brand, if you have a small order and that’s placed between 4pm and 5pm, there is a chance it could be with you the next day. However, this isn’t something we can say with certainty. Also, any large orders or orders that require a pallet that are filed between 4pm and 5pm will not be eligible for next-day delivery. We will always try to get your products to you before midday, but again, we can’t guarantee that this will be the case for you. Getting you the products that you need We understand that having your items as quickly as possible is vital for your projects. This is why we do all we can to get them to you in a timely manner. We said at the start of the article that it’s very difficult to pinpoint an exact time because of the variables, but hopefully you have a clearer idea now of what to expect. If in doubt though, the tracking order on the customer portal will always give you up-to-date information as to where your order is. For more information about Multifix or to place an order with us, you can get in contact with us via this link.
Turning 30 as a business offers us a rare opportunity to press pause for a few seconds. It allows us to reflect on not only where the time has gone, but what has been done with that time. It’s certainly a nice moment as it reminds us just how far we’ve come and how lucky we are to have been a part of so many special projects. It goes without saying that we appreciate that we play a small part in every project our services have been utilised for. However, there have been some projects that have really stood out over the years. In this article, we have identified six of the biggest projects that we have been fortunate enough to have supplied fixings for. The fact that some of these projects include major UK landmarks is a source of great pride for us, as it’s very special to say we were involved with them. Wembley Stadium When it was announced that The Home of Football™, otherwise known as Wembley Stadium, was to be demolished and rebuilt, it’s fair to say it was a big job. So much so that the ambitious plans to transform the stadium, including the arch, saw the project veer way over budget. What was meant to cost £325m ended up costing £798m. However, the finished product is one that is remarkable, with the stadium continuing to be an iconic landmark of both London and the UK. The new Wembley is one of the best sporting stadiums in the world, in addition to being an incredible concert venue. Many of the world’s biggest artists have played there, while the sporting history amassed since it opened in 2007 is impressive. The arch has also done a great job of replacing the much-loved Twin Towers of the old stadium. For the Wembley project, Multifix supplied products for the doors, as well as providing joinery supplies. Heathrow Terminal 5 A project a long time in the making, the opening ceremony of the fifth terminal for Heathrow Airport was certainly a landmark event. Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in March 2008, Heathrow Terminal 5 is capable of accommodating over 30 million passengers per year. According to a recent study from The Independent, it’s the busiest terminal in England. September 2023 saw an average of 100,000 passengers a day arrive or depart Heathrow, with Terminal 5 becoming the main hub for British Airways. Construction cost £4.2bn and lasted six years, with the start of the project kicking off in September 2002. What makes this remarkable is that it came nine years after the expansion was first formally proposed. The scale of Heathrow Terminal 5 is staggering in its own right, with the floor area covering nearly 3.8 million square feet. For the construction of Terminal 5, Multifix supplied the channel support systems for the decorative ceiling that you see as you walk in. The Shard The tallest building in the UK and London’s most recent skyscraper, The Shard is one of the most innovative building designs in the world. Costing £435m to build over a three-year period, The Shard has 95 floors and stands at 1016 ft, also making it one of the largest buildings in Europe. It has since become the home to TV studios and over 26 floors of offices. In addition, many people go to The Shard for a view of London, as well as dining experiences. Also, because of the way the building has a glass exterior, it is something of a very unique design. This is one of the reasons why it has become such a popular landmark. For the construction of The Shard, Multifix supplied a number of carpentry fixings for the site, in addition to several power tool accessories. Westfield The largest shopping centre in the UK and Europe, Westfield in White City was a massive project that cost £1.6bn to complete. Boasting over 400 stores, the shopping centre opened in 2008 after a five-year build. The build itself overcame several challenges, including facilitating Underground access and even disposing of unexploded World War II bombs. At the time of its launch, it was the biggest shopping centre in the UK. However, after an expansion in 2012, it became the biggest in Europe as well. The popularity of Westfield in White City saw plans for a Westfield in Stratford to be built. This is adjoined to both Stratford tube station and Stratford International and is also adjacent to London’s Olympic Park. The Westfield in Stratford is the fourth largest shopping centre in England and opened in September 2011. There are 350 stores and services at Stratford, including around 70 restaurants. Multifix had a helping hand in both initial Westfield developments, as we provided the joinery supplies for both sites. Olympic Park When it was announced in 2005 that London would be the first city to host three Olympic Games, the nation celebrated and rightfully so. After the celebrations though, lots of hard work happened to make sure the games could commence. This included building a brand new, purpose-built Olympic Park, which was designated for Stratford in London. This contained the London Stadium, the Olympic swimming pool, the ArcelorMittal Orbit observation tower and the Olympic Village, among other sporting venues. Over 80,000 workers set about making the plans a reality and after three years and a cost of £455m, the project was complete. Since the 2012 games, which brought moments permanently etched in UK sporting history, there have been some changes. The stadium has been converted to accommodate West Ham United, while the Olympic Village has been turned into accommodation. Nevertheless, the legacy of the games goes on and the stadium is used for many other sports and concerts now. For the project, Multifix provided carpentry fixings, decking and site welfare products. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium One of the more recent major projects that we have been involved with, the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, is very noteworthy. When Spurs decided they had outgrown White Hart Lane and opted to knock it down and rebuild over it, like Wembley, a lot of work needed to be done. Construction started in 2016 and three years and a billion pounds later, the 62,850-capacity multi-purpose stadium was built. In addition to being a world-class football stadium, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is also the UK home for the NFL. Other sports have been hosted there too, while it is being frequently used as a concert venue. Some of the facilities at the stadium are some of the best in the world, including the retractable pitch, preserving the football one from the NFL one. Multifix provided a wide variety of products for the site, including temporary protection, site consumables and PPE, studding and carpentry fixings. Taking immense pride in what we have achieved Our growth over the last 30 years has been incredible. We have gone from an idea from two brothers to helping construct some of the UK’s most notable landmarks. As we said earlier, to have played a part in these projects coming to life is very special for us as a company. Hopefully, there will be many more to add to this list as the years go by. Ultimately though, it gives us great pride to be a part of any project – whether it’s Wembley or a small building. If you would like to get in contact with us to help you with your project, we’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch with us here.
If you are reading this article, you have likely agreed to start a trial period with Multifix. Naturally, this is great news and we want you to know that we are here for you. Our designated customer service team and account managers will be in constant dialogue with you, of course, but we really want you to fully maximise your trial with us. Of course, we’ll be putting in the work behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly for you. That goes without saying. However, there are a couple of things you can do to really get the very most out of your service with us, which is ultimately what we want. In this article, we will highlight these things and explain how they can really give you that full Multifix experience. Make the most of the portal onboarding guides There is a good possibility that when agreeing to trial with Multifix, you would rather conduct your business with us over the phone, or by email. Of course, that is absolutely fine. If that is the case, then we will of course work with you on that and you can maybe disregard this bit. If you are looking to do the bulk of your ordering online though, then you are going to want to become good friends with our customer portal. Here, you can do a whole variety of things, including setting up requisitions, tracking your order and making a list of approved items for your team. However, before diving in headfirst, it is wise to look at our portal onboarding guides, so that when you do opt for the portal, you are fully prepared. We have three different portal onboarding guides, depending on what your role is. There is one for super users and office managers, one for site managers and one for site operatives. As all of these types of users have different permissions, it’s important to get to grips with the guide that is best suited for you. That way, when it does come to using the customer portal, you’ll know what to do, what you can and can’t do and how to get things up and running. Get to know the team Whether you’re using the portal or not, one thing we really value here at Multifix is relationships. We want to get to know you on a first-name basis and we want to know about you. This is because if we have a relationship with you, it just makes everything easier. Our customer service team and account managers are always polite and courteous anyway, but getting to know you better just makes everything smoother. You will have a dedicated customer service agent and an account manager to contact as standard, but these people are all extremely personable. We believe that if you are made to feel valued and have people who genuinely care about you and your business, your experience is going to be a lot happier. No-one likes being treated like a number, which is something we go out of our way to avoid making you feel like. It’s cold, it’s impersonal and it can be very off-putting. We take a lot of pride in our customer service and how we treat our clients, so getting to know those working with you will help you get the full Multifix experience. Extracting the most from your trial Once your trial period with us is up, we want to have given you the best possible service so that you stay with us afterwards. But regardless of that, we want you to have the full Multifix experience when you commit to a trial period with us. With these two tips, you should be able to have that full experience during your trial period, which we hope will lead to a longer relationship. After your trial period will be a trial review meeting. You can find out what happens at that trial review meeting here.
Whether it’s in construction, or in fact in any industry, it’s imperative that you have a reliable delivery service. You need supplies to do the job, so if your supplies don’t show up, the ramifications can be huge. In construction especially, time is very much money. Without the products you need, projects can be delayed and the knock-on effects of that aren’t good, to put it mildly. No contractor is going to enjoy having to explain delays. They are especially not going to be happy explaining delays when they’ve ordered something in good faith that it’ll arrive on a certain day at a certain time and it does neither. However, these fears can be alleviated if you have a reliable supplier. We like to think that we are one – indeed, our own van delivery success rate is 99.3% - and with 30 years’ experience, we’ve picked a few things up along the way. The things we have listed are things that we do ourselves, as we want to make sure that when you order with us, you have everything you need. With that in mind, for this article, we are going to highlight some of the things that all reliable suppliers should be offering you. If they aren’t offering you these things as standard, then it may be time to reconsider who your provider is. Being able to track your order As a general observation, people are curious. They are also especially curious when they order things and want to find out when it’s going to arrive. Not only is this because they need the goods in question, but it allows them to adequately prepare for when that delivery will be. A valued delivery provider will try to have your construction goods delivered before 12, but sometimes you need specifics. When you can track your order, to the point you can pinpoint an estimated time of arrival, you can prioritise things accordingly depending on your project. It allows you to be more time-efficient, as you can rearrange your work schedule to get things done in the meantime. Once you have your goods, you can resume what part of the project you need them for. Having the option to be able to track your order though is very important. You’d expect it from Amazon, you’d expect it from Tesco and you should expect it from your construction supplier, too. A heads-up that your order is about to be delivered Let’s say that you’ve tracked your order and you can see that it is coming at 9am. You’re flat out at work, so you get on with the job and forget that the order is coming, because you’re so preoccupied with the project. Then, you get a phone call from the driver. You’re told that your order is 10 minutes away and you’re asked to come out and pick it up. In the event you can’t pick it up, you can explain where exactly you want it to go, so it doesn’t get lost, misplaced or damaged. Equally, you can get someone to meet the driver to pick up the goods. Above all else, a phone call is just a common courtesy. It keeps you in the loop, allows you to plan more efficiently and if it’s a regular driver, even strike up a relationship with them. This is a fundamental part of reliable service as, much like with anything in the world, communication is key. Picture proof that your item has been delivered safely Using the above as an example, let’s say you’ve asked the driver to leave your goods in a designated area and you’ll collect them later. You then check your order and see that a photo has been added, not only showing proof of delivery, but also identifying exactly where it is. Few things are more annoying than finding out your item has been delivered, but there is no picture to prove that. It’s even more annoying when you then have to take time out of your day to hunt down exactly where it’s been left, with no way of contacting the driver. As such, you should always be of the belief that your supplier is taking photos after dropping the goods off, especially in the event no-one can pick them up instantly. A signature sign-off for every order Lastly, sometimes you just need to know with certainty that the items you’ve ordered have turned up safely. We’ve all heard and endured horror stories of companies saying something has been delivered when the reality is something very different entirely. It’s a dispute you don’t need and it’s time wasted. As such, one thing you should always hope is that your supplier can provide a signature upon arrival rule with their delivery service. This also adds accountability on your end, too. If you can’t sign off for whatever reason, you can see exactly who has. This also helps if you’re trying to hunt down the goods when you do need them. Having the option to give a signature also allows you a brief period of time where you can assess whether the order is correct. Sometimes mistakes can happen, so if you can clock it early, that’s a bonus in an otherwise bad situation. Making sure you get the very best from your supplier We all know the importance of deliveries. Businesses rely on them to get things done, so if they’re having difficulties with their deliveries, then something needs to change. If you are not having these four factors in your deliveries, then you should be asking why not. You should especially be asking this in the event your deliveries aren’t reliable. The things we’ve listed should be seen as standard for delivery, but as we stated earlier, these are all things that we do ourselves. If you would like to get in touch with a member of our team to discuss our delivery options, then you can do so here. Alternatively, if you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to see what else we have, you can see our article home base here.
2023 is very much a landmark year for Multifix, as we celebrate our 30th anniversary. It’s fair to say we’ve come a long way since 1993 when our origins as a family business were formed. However, the term ‘family business’ can come with negative connotations. They can be seen as unprofessional, lacking innovation and shut off to outsiders. We accept that this is a stereotypical view of family businesses, however, we believe that we are something more than that. We believe we’ve worked hard to quash those suggestions and really, we wouldn’t have been going for three decades had we not. As such, the modern-day Multifix is a professional enterprise that services many different sectors, but has family values at heart. This article will explain how we have developed over the last 30 years and how we are much more than a stereotypical family business. Multifix is a place for everyone The first stereotypical suggestion we will denounce is the notion that family businesses aren’t welcoming to others who aren’t in the inner circle. We are very proud to have a team from all backgrounds working for Multifix, most of whom have been with us for many years. It’s a great source of pride that our staff turnover for our Maidstone office is very, very low. The people we have want to work here and that makes a huge difference. This extends to our warehouse in Barking too, with several people who have been working with the company for 15-20 years or more. We have worked extremely hard to make Multifix a place for all, irrespective of background, with the hope that our employees stay with us and buy into our ambitions. In fact, we even have a few staff members dotted across the globe, with some residing in Bulgaria and South Africa. The family values are also customer values When it comes to family values, you look after each other. You communicate well, you build up trust and provide. Those are the same things we carry into our business, albeit in very different ways to a family life. We have put many measures in place for our own-van delivery to be as strong as possible and it currently has a 99.3% success rate. You have the ability to track your order through the portal, while our drivers will call you when they are nearby to let you know your parcel is ready. We have a highly trained customer service team, who are always happy to take your call, be it for product advice, to take an order or to provide information. So, those core family values of trust, care and providing are all fundamental staples of how Multifix operates in the present day. Multifix is a truly professional environment No matter where you look at Multifix, be it at the warehouse or the office, you’ll find people who are trained and experienced in the roles they offer. We are also a company that loves giving people a chance and training them, as per our apprentice scheme, but without a professional culture, none of that would matter. The way in which we operate openly encourages professionalism in every aspect. This extends to keeping with the times, as we have a dedicated Innovation Manager to ensure we stay ahead of the curve. Some of our staff members have been experts in their respective fields for decades, all of which are invaluable to us as we continue to progress with each year. Going strong for 30 years and counting Getting to the 30-year milestone is certainly a cause for celebration and for several different reasons. Not only does it highlight that we’ve achieved longevity, but it also emphasises how much we’ve grown in that time. From an idea by two brothers to the company that we are today, the 30-year landmark is a true recognition of both our professionalism and innovation. Had we operated solely as a family business, we wouldn’t have achieved what we have, or be where we are. One of the things we have learned throughout our 30 years is to have a strong focus on sustainability. You can find out more about that here.
To celebrate our 30th anniversary, we filmed the story from those who were there when it all began!
To coincide with our 30-year anniversary, we are once again running our annual customer survey. This is something very important to us and your feedback really matters. But why does it matter, you might ask? What about your feedback is so important? And why do we even do it? The short answer is that your feedback helps us to be a better company. One that listens, one that cares, one that can service you. The longer answer is somewhat more detailed than that, so in this article, we will explain why we do the survey and why your feedback matters. The Multifix customer survey – what actually is it? The Multifix customer survey is something we do every year and in it, we ask you to be completely honest with us. We will ask you to give your feedback on our service, our delivery, your user experience on the website, how you find the portal and much more. With this feedback and knowledge, we can then find areas that we can work on and improve, subsequently making our service better for you. How exactly has it helped Multifix? As a prime example, let’s look at the survey from 2022. In this survey, there’s a lot we wanted to know, but we especially wanted to know how you prefer to order. While we were very proud to launch the portal, we knew that not everyone would be a fan of technology, so we wanted to see what you thought. The results we got were vital for us, as they highlighted that while people were using the portal, there was still a sizable percentage who preferred a traditional way of ordering over the phone. We were never planning on taking that option away, but the knowledge helped us. It allowed us to further focus on how our customer service team can assist and if there’s anything we can do better. It also told us that the initial portal user experience was really good and really useful, which we have tried to expand upon in the following months. As well as this, we got to find out more about the challenges you face and how you view our responsiveness to your concerns. All of this was vital for our growth. What can I expect from this year’s survey? For 2023, we are being much broader with the questions we would like you to answer. By that, we mean there are more areas we’d like your thoughts on. The questions you can expect to answer are related to our service, how you came to use us as a supplier, how we’re different and how we could improve. As we are seeking to build and grow, we want to be the best Multifix that we can be. That means listening to all of your comments, good and bad, with the intention of learning from them. As such, we’d love you to be as honest as possible. We’d like you to really expand on your points, so the questions you’ll be answering will be mostly open ones. In terms of the questions themselves, they will all be directly related to our performance and things you’d like to see from us in the future. We really feel that with you answering these types of questions in detail, we can be a better supplier for you. What’s in it for me? We wouldn’t expect you to just do this because you’ve got a spare few minutes! All those who partake in the customer survey will have a chance to win a £10 Amazon gift card. There will be 22 winners, so one for every working day in November! All 22 of our lucky winners will be emailed directly to inform them of their prize. If you’re wondering why 22 seems oddly specific, it’s because we are giving away 30 different prizes to celebrate our 30th anniversary! The other eight are comprised of three £50 Devliveroo vouchers, which are distributed at random every Friday in November to anyone who spends £250 or more on the portal. Then there are two £50 M&S gift cards, which can be won by visiting the Protecta stand at London Build 2023. Finally, there are three opportunities to win a £50 M&S gift card and all you have to do is engage on our LinkedIn page! Where can I take part in the customer survey? Right here! By following this link, you can participate in our survey. We can’t wait to see your feedback and we would like to thank you in advance for doing the survey, as you will help us grow as a company by doing so.
Whether you’re intrigued by the portal or are having issues with it, we’re here to help. We have compiled three guides for different end users, all of which are designed to help you fully understand the portal. The first one is for superusers and office managers. This is for those who have the most access to the portal’s features, especially in the case of superusers, who have full access to everything. The second is for site managers. This is for those who have the second highest (or third, if you count office managers) level of access on the portal. Finally, the third is for site operatives. This is for those who are in the thick of the action and with time of the essence, need to get things sorted without hassle. Should you have any further questions about the portal though, please feel free to get in touch with us. You can book a meeting with us here.
Working in the winter is never fun. You’re leaving for work when it’s dark, coming home when it’s dark and the British weather is just a nightmare. It’s cold, it’s wet, it’s windy and the halcyon days of British Summer Time feel a world away. If you’re working on a site, all of this is amplified by 100. It’s one thing dealing with the above issues when you’re working indoors, but it’s a different beast entirely when you’re tasked with construction. Sadly, it is impossible to mitigate all of the issues of working in the winter months fully, however, there are a few things you can do to help. Most of these solutions come from external heat and light. No-one can control the weather or get Mother Nature to turn the thermostat back up, so having these appliances on a site will help. In the interest if objectivity, we will state now that we supply both external heat and light options. However, that is not why we are writing this article. In this article, we have picked three of the key problems when working in the British winter. In addition, we have suggested some solutions to combat them. Problem one – safety issues People tripping over things or slipping over can happen at the best of times, of course, but incidents are more likely in the winter. With snow, rain and ice playing a part as the temperature gets colder, it’s little wonder the risks are much higher. No-one wants to suffer an injury from slipping over. As such, it’s naturally very important to ensure that the area is kept as safe as possible. One way of dealing with this is by having external light sources, so people can clearly see where slip areas are. Ironically, this can cause another potential slip risk with the cables, but having a well-lit area should be of the utmost importance. Visibility is key to construction sites, so having some unnatural lighting in place to keep sight clear can only be a good thing. When the winter snap really kicks in, removing snow and ice from the site needs to be imperative too. However, this also needs to be treated with caution. Shovelling snow isn’t a fun task and for those who maybe aren’t in the best shape, this can be dangerous. The cold can make it harder to catch your breath after physical activity, so those who may consider themselves unfit should be careful. As such, great care needs to be taken with this, before grit is applied to keep the site safe. Problem two – staying warm We all feel the effects of the cold differently; the sight of a Premier League footballer wearing gloves with a short-sleeved shirt is proof of that. However, while there are some with a grin-and-bear-it type of attitude, prolonged time spent in freezing conditions is dangerous. The risks of hypothermia or frostbite in freezing conditions are no joke and are very real. There’s also a risk of tissue damage to forcing your way through in the cold as well. One solution to this is wearing more PPE. Gloves especially are important, but it’s equally as important not to wear too much PPE in case you lose mobility. As bizarre as it is to say, you can be over-protected from the cold and that can have an impact on your work capacity, too. One solution to the cold is to have a designated warm area with portable heaters. This can breathe much-needed life into your hands and give you some time to recharge. Also, having access to hot drinks is important for the cold. Whether it’s tea, coffee, hot chocolate or just hot water, having something warm to sip and to keep hands warm is always good. Problem three – equipment performance takes a hit One of the more frustrating aspects of construction in the winter is the tools you’re using themselves. This is especially relevant for carpenters, who are frequently using nail guns. It’s no secret that in the cold, nail guns can be very difficult. They start to misfire more and they don’t seem to have as much power at times. This is because the gas cell needs to be warm before use. As such, a frequent sight is of carpenters rubbing gas cells with their hands in an attempt to warm them up or taking them out from their pockets. This is also where having a designated warm area can help. In the instance of the gas cells for the nail guns, you’d be able to get some heat into it first before going out, thus limiting any malfunction. Naturally, we would add here that you don’t put a gas cell directly in front of a portable header, but being in a warmer environment will help it. In addition, you may have building materials that need to be warm before use. Having a designated warm area can allow them to thaw first, thus saving time and resources trying to get it sorted. In essence, this would be the same for any tool or material that needs some heat into it before use. By simply having a set area for warmth, output can still be very high, even in adverse conditions. Another solution, especially in the case of nail guns, is to fire empty nail guns at 40 PSI. This will warm up the tool nicely before use, while using antifreeze tool oil for other pneumatic tools is also very helpful. Winter construction is very challenging, but solutions can be had Ultimately, there is a reason why most construction projects are done in the other three seasons of the year than winter. It’s much easier, much safer and much more efficient. However, sometimes needs must and while working on a construction site in the winter can be daunting, things can still get done. The importance of external lighting and heating cannot be underestimated, as having both in operation can help a lot. Whether it’s keeping you warm or providing you with visibility, both solutions can really have a huge impact on safety, well-being and productivity. Indeed, the purpose of this article is to keep you safe in challenging conditions. If you need any site heating or lighting, click here for heating and here for lighting. If you’ve enjoyed this article and want to see what else we have for you to read, you can find our article home base here.
When working with firestopping at any point, you will only be using products that have been regulated for the project at hand. This is for safety above all else, but it does mean that you have enquiries as to what is approved and what isn’t for certain tasks. One of our more recent queries relates to the Protecta FR Graphite and whether it has tested details for use with the FR Board. The answer to that question isn’t quite as cut and dry as you’d maybe hope. In short, it has tested details for use with metal and copper pipes, but it doesn’t yet for plastic pipes. For those unaware, a tested detail is a certification that demonstrates the product is safe to be used for firestopping. In this article, we will fully explore the answer and explain the situation, what Protecta are doing about it and what could come next. It is also worth noting that we are partners with Protecta, but will remain objective. What exactly is FR Graphite and why is this important? Protecta’s FR Graphite is a firestopping solution that goes around pipes. The graphite expands to 40x its original size in the event of a fire, which effectively cuts off the pipe supply. This, in turn, protects you, as it stops smoke from coming through the pipe. The tested details for use with the FR Board are important as the graphite can be used with all types of pipes within walls. This includes cPVC (plastic), metal and copper pipes. In fact, graphite is advised for such projects. As such, some may understandably assume that graphite is fine for dealing with pipes within an FR board. However, that is not necessarily the case. Why can’t I use FR Graphite on cPVC pipes in an FR Board? The simple answer is that Protecta hasn’t found a way to get a tested detail yet. However, given recent events, it might not be too much longer until they do. In August 2023, Protecta revealed that they had found a way for the graphite to be used with “penetrating insulated metal pipes” with the FR board. According to Protecta, the EI fire rating varies depending on the type of insulation used, the diameter and the type of pipe. The EI fire rating itself judges integrity and insulation. So, while plastic, or cPVC, pipes currently aren’t compatible with the graphite, metal and copper pipes are. Is there a set date when this might change? At this moment in time, there is not. However, as mentioned above and given how frequently Protecta upgrades its own products, it’s likely on their agenda. Protecta constantly seeks to improve and upgrade its products, be it from a functionality standpoint or from a technical one; i.e., new ratings. Given the Protecta technical team will have likely been fielding the same enquiry, there’s a good chance they’re already working on ways to achieve the assessment detail. As mentioned though, there is currently no estimated time as to when this might happen, so it’s important for you to factor that in when purchasing. Is there anything else I need to know? Not at this moment in time, no. Hopefully, though, you’ll at least be more aware as to why you can’t use the FR Graphite with an FR board for a cPVC pipe yet. However, if something is to change, then we will update this article accordingly and inform you. Given the way Protecta operate, it may be sooner rather than later! If you would like to speak to a member of our expert team to discuss the FR Graphite or the Protecta range, you can get in touch with us here. Alternatively, if you would like to see why Multifix has partnered with Protecta, you can read this article to find out more.
Damp-proof course membrane, also called DPC, is very important for people who work in brickwork. Ultimately, it prevents dampness and stops moisture from rising through and without it, the structural integrity of a building is at risk. We care about your building’s safety, so we’re proud to sell Visqueen DPC, which is known as the best in the industry. We have five different types to choose from and each one has something unique to offer. However, having five types can be confusing. If we’re asked on the phone “Can I have some DPC?”, we naturally follow that up with “What type?” and in some instances, you’re not fully sure. As such, we have put this article together to go through the five core types of DPC, which are the five that we stock. Come to the end of the article, you’ll know exactly what we can offer and what that type of DPC can do for you. 1. Standard DPC Ideal for small extensions or for garden walls, polythene DPC – or standard DPC – requires little maintenance and is water resistant. It is also highly durable, in that it has a very high resistance when it comes to degradation. If installed properly, you won’t have to worry about dampness impacting the property. It does have limitations in that it isn’t ideal for houses, but for smaller projects, such as an extension or a conservatory, it’s a go-to product. Multifix stocks polythene DPC from Visqueen in a number of different measurements, all of which come in a 30-metre roll. The measurements that we stock are 100mm, 150mm, 225mm, 300mm, 450mm and 600mm, which will all cover a wide range of smaller projects. 2. House grade DPC If you are working on a bigger project, then house-grade DPC is likely to be right for you, as it can be used for all residential housing projects. House-grade DPC is also very handy if you need something for sleeper walls that lie underneath a ground-floor construction. A perfect example of this would be a beam and block floor system. Our DPC range for house grade isn’t quite as big as it is for polythene DPC, but we still have three options for you to choose from. These are either 100mm, 450mm or 600mm, with all three options coming in a 20-metre roll. The pricing for this type varies slightly, too. The 100mm costs £9.54, the 450mm costs £42.91 and the 600mm costs £57.21. List prices shown are ex. VAT. You can see our house grade range here. 3. High-performance DPC (Zedex) The industry standard itself, the high-performance DPC from Visqueen, which is also referred to as Zedex, is what you’re likely to be working with. Much like the house grade, it can be used on all residential housing projects, but there are a few things that make it stand out. The biggest difference between Zedex and house-grade is that ZX is radon gas-resistant, achieving a BBA 94/3059 rating. It can also be used with Visqueen radon membranes to further protect from gas, but it’s part of the Visqueen Low Permeability Gas Membrane system. This means that it has been proven to offer gas protection to NHBC Amber 1 requirements. In addition, it’s also extremely tear-resistant and very strong. Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, it can be used for masonry applications. This includes commercial buildings up to and including three-storey buildings. It can also be used to construct a cavity tray in cavity wall construction. You can read our summary of the November 2022 NHBC Technical Guidance here. There are five different sizes of Zedex DPC that we stock, which are 100mm, 150mm, 225mm, 450mm and 600mm. Much like the house grade, it comes in a 20-metre roll. You can see the full Zedex DPC range here. 4. High-bond DPC Much like the Zedex DPC, high bond can be used for a number of masonry applications. These include residential and commercial up to and including three-storey buildings. However, what makes the high-bond DPC stand out is the way it bonds with the mortar. The mortar bonding is at its best with high-bond DPC, which is good for several reasons. The better the bond with the mortar, the better the waterproofing, the better the durability and the better the structural integrity. As such, high bond DPC has a lot of purpose and is very popular for good reason. We do list high bond DPC, however as it’s rather unique, it’s something you’d have to call up for to arrange a purchase. 5. Non-combustible DPC Lastly, if you need a type of DPC that will help you reach A2 fire classification, then Visqueen’s non-combustible DPC is your answer. It is designed for use for cavity wall construction and it can be applied in residential, commercial and multi-storey buildings. This also includes structural framing and is the most premium type of DPC that Visqueen offer. This is because of its non-combustible nature, as fire-preventing DPC is of high value. Much like the high-bond DPC, we do list it, but it’s not something you can buy from the website. If you are looking to purchase, you’ll need to do so by phone. Visqueen DPC to cover all grounds The main reason for putting this article together was to show you exactly what kind of DPC that we can provide you with. Whether it’s a conservatory or a three-storey building, we have a type of Visqueen DPC that can help you with your project. We can help you if you’re in a hurry too, as we offer next-day delivery on our DPC range, just so long as you order before 4pm. To find out more, whether it’s about pricing or other DPC-related questions, you can get in touch with us and our expert teams here. In any case though, it’s important that your brickwork supplier has what it takes to meet your needs. Find out what two things you need to look for in a brickwork supplier here.
Within one to three months of Multifix supplying one or some of your sites, you’ll now know how we operate and what we’re like to work with. However, once that time is up, it’ll be time to make some decisions. As you’d have been made aware at the start of your trial run, a review meeting will be at the end of it. But what happens in this review meeting? What should you be preparing yourself for? Furthermore, what is the point of it? The short answer is that the review meeting is important as it determines the next steps for you and us. Come the end of it, we’ll both have a clear view of what comes next. As such, we have put together this article for you to help you go into your review meeting with 100% transparency of what to expect. We don’t want you to feel there are any hidden surprises or anything like that, so we hope this will help you. The point of a trial review meeting In short, the point of the trial review meeting is to determine whether or not you want to use us as a supplier moving forward. By this stage, we would have been regularly providing your supplies for one or more sites, so we would also expect and welcome any feedback on how we have performed. We want to hear your thoughts, whether they're positive or negative. We’ll use your feedback to improve our service, so please be completely honest during this meeting. The meeting itself, much like the introductory trial meeting, will likely be conducted by one of the business leads and the Head of Sales and Marketing. There is a possibility different personnel will be there, but it’s unlikely to be someone you’ve not met before. What happens if I want to keep Multifix as a supplier? Many clients want to keep working with us after the trial period. If that’s you, what will happen next is a continuation of the meeting, which will work out the logistics of this. We would understandably be keen to know whether you would want us to be your exclusive supplier, or whether we’d be sharing your business with another supplier. You can read an article on the pros and cons of splitting your business or using one supplier here. In addition, we would also provisionally map out the sites you would want us to be delivering to in the near future. In order for us to really give you the service you need, we feel this is an important step. Ultimately, we want to be fully aware of what you’ll be looking for in advance so that we can prepare accordingly. And what happens if I don’t want to keep Multifix as a supplier? Occasionally, clients in the trial period won’t want to keep us on as a supplier. If that’s the case for you and if you don’t wish to keep us on in any capacity after your trial, then we’ll both shake hands and move on accordingly. We would also thank you for giving us a try and for allowing us to help you with your site projects and keep the door open for a change of heart in the future. In the event you choose not to go with us though, we would like some detailed feedback on your reasonings. As we said earlier, this is for our benefit so we can take the criticism onboard and be better as a result of it. If there is something that has happened that we can improve upon, then we will naturally take the chance to do so. What happens if I need more time? In the event that you need more time after one to three months, unless told otherwise, we would safely assume something is going right. Even after a prolonged spell, it can be hard to know whether you’re making the right choice. As such, if you still aren’t fully sure or just need more time to think, we’ll continue working with you as a split supplier. If you would like this to change either way, then you can do so by either arranging a meeting or just letting us know by email. By this time, you’d be well versed with our staff members in your particular sector. They will very gladly hear your reasons one way or the other, when you are ready to make a decision. Prioritising your needs at the decision stage We hope that after some time with our service, you’ll choose to stick with us, but naturally we can’t guarantee that. That is why this meeting is so important, as in the event you don’t want to continue, you have a get-out clause if you like. However, in the event you do want to stick with us, the groundwork we can lay for the future will come out as a result of this meeting. To find out more information about the trial process, or to arrange one, you can get in touch with us here. Also, if you would like to see some of our customer testimonials, you can find those on this link.
Learn how to set yourself up on the portal as a site operative.
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.