WIGAN: Wolseley UK, Edmundson Electricals and SIG Roofing are part of a new service framework with purchasing group, Valueworks, providing materials for the Riverside housing association.
Steve Selfe at Wolseley UK said: "This framework makes great business sense to us. Riverside are able to bring a range of contractors and buyers to us through the work that is being completed in their properties, this across the length and breadth of the UK.
"Wolseley, through its Plumb Center, Parts Center and Build Center brands is able to provide the geographic footprint to service this business. A core range of products has been agreed with Riverside for the catalogues to ensure that it is getting both the quality and the price that its residents demand. These will be traded through Valueworks' online eMarketplace. We are working with Valueworks to ensure that our systems work together efficiently to deliver this proposition".
John Hayes, Riverside's director of asset management, said: "Riverside purchases a huge amount of construction related products through its contractors. By providing this innovative solution, we are able to ensure that all of these products are to an approved level of specification and that we are able to lever some cost efficiencies using the volume we generate. By having this consistency of product, we anticipate that we will be able to offer an improved service to our tenants."
The framework is open to other housing associations that can use it to build their own catalogue. SME contractors are also able to access it.
Riverside is also introducing a discount card for its tenants allowing them to purchase a range of products, excluding products that need to be installed by registered trades people, from the merchants at the same trade price Riverside does.
