Merchant framework deal signed by Re:allies

Re:allies has awarded its first merchant framework agreement to Integrated Services, a division of Wolseley UK.

Re:allies is a new strategic collaboration between housing consortia Procure Plus and Efficiency North.

The multi-million pound merchant framework agreement follows Integrated Services' bid to supply goods and materials for responsive maintenance and repairs at homes managed by social housing providers in the north of England.

Gwen Heap, head of operations at Re:allies, said: "Our merchant framework agreement was set up with the aim of providing Registered Providers of social housing with a highly efficient and effective way of dealing with responsive repairs and the sourcing of maintenance materials.

"When problems on a property come about, housing providers need to know they can fix them quickly, and the framework agreement, by ensuring availability of key materials, does just that.

"The first merchant framework run by Procure Plus was highly successful with a great take up across its membership and with housing providers from other partnership consortia. The new model refines this offer and widens its availability across the Re:allies membership.

"The framework is very flexible as each customer can tailor their own service and material specification to what they want.

"Through the previous agreement, we provided a number of innovative solutions for customers and it was a great example of a partnership working approach that really benefits all.

"We look forward see further best practice examples like this in the future.

"With Integrated Services' experience of working in the social housing sector, we're confident that it will support us in ensuring the merchant framework provides a high quality, responsive offer."

Steve Selfe, head of business and operations at Integrated Services, added: "Winning the framework agreement to supply the whole of the Re:allies partnership is a real coup for Integrated Services and cements our position as a key partner in the social housing sector.

"Through our bespoke supply chain solution and customer portal, which is the first of its kind in the industry, we aim to provide an efficient, practical and high quality service to RPs and we're looking forward to putting this into practice with Re:allies customers."