WASHROOM
IS THERE A BETTER WAY TO SOURCE WASHROOM PRODUCTS?
With facilities managers eagerly planning for next year, Martin Kent, Commercial Manager at Midland Paper Products talks to Tomorrow’s FM about how they can reap the benefits of working with one dedicated supplier in 2025.
As we close the door on 2024, planning for next year is well underway, with many facilities managers looking for more cost effective, reliable and sustainable ways of managing their washrooms. Multiple sourcing on washroom supplies does bring advantages, but it can carry headaches too. The ideal could be to have just one supplier for your paper products - whether it’s toilet rolls or hand towels - and access to a range of price points.
This scenario would bring significant benefits: one point of contact that FMs could turn to for all their paper needs; a relationship where the supplier fully understands their business; and a much more efficient process overall, giving FMs the time they need to concentrate on managing the rest of their facility.
Efficient solutions This is precisely the way of thinking that has lead Midland Paper Products - a specialist in Away-from-Home (AfH) professional paper hygiene and wiping products - to focus on offering FMs a more efficient way of working.
“We see a shift developing in the industry where FMs want more control, so we need to shake up the supply chain and open up better routes to more paper products for them," explains Martin Kent, Commercial Manager at Midland Paper Products. “Our vision is to help FMs to co-ordinate all their paper requirements through one supplier, effectively creating a complete solution for them.”
It’s an interesting concept and one that could mean an end to washroom inefficiencies because of long lead times, unpredictable deliveries and a lack of access to the best paper products.
“We believe that it will really help to improve how FMs operate," says Martin. “With so many variables when dealing with multiple suppliers, it’s rare to find an FM that’s happy with every element of the service they receive. FMs expect choice, quality and value from their suppliers, but what they don’t necessarily expect is a committed partner that works alongside them to help them operate more efficiently. We think the industry is ready for a change to break through these barriers.”
So, should you switch to just one supplier for paper products? Keeping things simple and streamlining your supply chain certainly makes life easier, giving you more time to dedicate to other responsibilities.
It that one supplier is an established, reputable nationwide supplier, then long term security is another benefit. And, if that supplier is also a true UK business, with all raw material supply, manufacturing, end user product converting, storage and transportation being domestic, there are substantial environmental benefits to be gained too.
Convenience and consistency Operationally, using a single route brings greater convenience, speed and consistently high service levels. As well as saving time, this means that you can plan and manage your washroom provision more efficiently. With one dedicated sales contact, you’ll have better support and easier communication from ordering right through to delivery. This minimises the risk of incomplete deliveries and unresolved issues.
As Martin Kent told us: “This could be an exciting start to the year for FMs. We’re proud to provide customers with the breadth of products and quality of service they need to provide a hygienic and cost-effective washroom for visitors.
“We are unique in that we focus specifically on the smaller distributors, which means we can cater for smaller orders, typically supplying two mixed pallets, with a quick turnaround of around three to six days. However, because we are also part of the Northwood Group of Companies, we can source additional product from within the group if we can’t manufacture the volumes required by a particular customer. With the right paper supplier behind them, FMs can concentrate on other areas of their business, safe in the knowledge that the washroom is well taken care of.”
www.midlandpaper.co.uk 56 | TOMORROW’S FM
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