City Plumbing has announced a multi-million-pound three-year contract with Abri, which will see the merchant supply plumbing and heating materials across the housing association’s 40,000 homes and 100,000 customers following a public tender exercise.
Key to City Plumbing’s success, however, was its commitment to providing social value and sustainability, in addition to the fulfilment of materials. Some 5% of the contract’s total value is dedicated to improving lives and communities as well as Abri’s homes. From donations of materials for community development projects and providing employment opportunities for Abri’s customers to colleagues volunteering and offering time at training venues, their shared goal is to make a real difference and change lives.
With around 90 City Plumbing branches supporting the contract, the two businesses are collaborating closely together to share knowledge of innovation and sustainability which they believe will help Abri’s customers in a number of different ways.
Smart solutions, renewables, remote stores, and a new recycling scheme are just some of the ways City Plumbing is helping Abri to meet its ambitious goals for change.
City Plumbing will also be supplying Abri’s planned and responsive teams, as well as integration with Abri’s key IT systems which will take place over the coming months.
Creating positive social change is at the heart of City Plumbing’s new partnership with Abri, one of the largest social housing providers in Southern England.
John Watts, Associate Director of Customer Response at Abri, said: “Our customers will benefit from our extended partnership with City Plumbing on many levels. City Plumbing’s high-performing supply network will support us in the works we do within their homes. We’ll be able to use the same, quality products across our region, while harnessing City Plumbing’s expertise to use more sustainable materials. Implementing City Plumbing’s Intelligent stock level technology will also enable us to be more responsive to our customers.
“We’re delighted that City Plumbing has committed to invest in communities, through volunteering in our community projects and creating new employment opportunities for our customers.”
Richard Adams, Sales Director – Integrated Solutions, commented: “Our strategic supply partnership will help Abri create thriving communities and empower the lives of their residents through new employment opportunities, training and work experience placements. We look forward to achieving great things together through our long-term partnership.”
