Build.Products and services to reduce construction costs

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Peppard Building Supplies, Bishopsland Farm, Dunsden, Reading, RG4 8XA. T 0118 972 2028 F 0118 972 4559 E info@peppardgroup.co.uk W peppardbuildingsupplies.com

When faced with a challenging refurb

For most of us in this industry it would be hard not to look ahead with some degree of optimism in 2015.

After more than a few tough years, it is a great relief to see customers busy, with many — like A4 Building and Property Development on page 2 of this newsletter — having work lined up for months ahead.

Now the industry is back on track, of course, we collectively face new issues of supply and demand.

A survey by the Federation of Master Builders, recently found that 41% of SME construction firms

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were struggling to hire bricklayers, up from 34% three months earlier.

Meanwhile, you won’t need to have read the news headlines to know that demand continues to outstrip supply for products like bricks and aggregates.

For us at Peppard, the pressure is on us to work with existing, and find new, suppliers to ensure strong stock levels across all product lines. I’m proud to say that the team have been doing a great job at keeping stock levels high and we don’t expect that to change in 2015.

In fact we are gearing up for further demand.

From a new delivery vehicle due this spring to boost capacity, through to IT upgrades to improve our back office efficiency, our focus is on helping you, our customers, make the most of the opportunities ahead

in 2015, by giving you the products you need, when you need them.

Recession or boom, you have my word, that focus is not something we ever plan to change.

To your continued success,

Ru Butler

Supply is the name of the game for construction in 2015

When a local charity for people with learning disabilities and mental health issues was faced with a challenging move, it turned to some nearby businesses for help.

Frances Hill, CEO of The Ways & Means Trust, explained: “Until recently, we operated on two sites: one in Caversham and the other in Rotherfield Peppard. We rented both premises but the one at the Caversham site, which we had occupied for 44 years, was sold and we were given notice to leave by the end of May 2014.

“We looked for premises in Caversham but found nothing suitable. However, we found an alternative building on the Rotherfield Peppard site, which required quite extensive modifications.”

Having found the right site, The Ways & Means Trust turned to Peppard Building Supplies, among others, to help realise its vision.

True to their name the charity found a way and raised £25,000 to pay for the necessary work.

As it provides training and work experience for its clients in commercial packaging, catering and horticulture, much of the money was spent fitting out the new site with a warehouse, food preparation and other facilities.

The team at Peppard was only too happy to help out, which made the feedback from The Ways & Means Trust truly appreciated.

Frances said: “Peppard Building Supplies are a friendly, helpful,

dedicated group of people, who have helped us enormously with every stage of our relocation. No question is too trivial, from what size of plumbing joints to buy, to much needed advice and guidance on purchasing an oil tank.

“Their commitment to support a small community charity like

ourselves is exemplary and without it, our move would not have gone so smoothly.”

After a lot of hard work the charity is settling into its new site, but is always looking for support to carry out its valuable work. For more information on The Ways & Means Trust go to: www.waysandmeans.org.uk

Call Now 0118 972 2028

January — March 2015

or email info@peppardgroup.co.uk

Peppard invests in I.TPeppard Building Supplies has invested in a hardware and software upgrade to improve its service to customers.

The upgrade will see half of the computers in the back office replaced while new software will be uploaded across the network.

Peppard Building Supplies associate director Neil Bryant said: “This is a low–impact upgrade, which should mean little disruption, but improve

our service. The speed of service desk terminals will be improved, meaning we will have faster access to things like stock levels and past orders.”

The investment follows an upgrade to the online customer portal in 2013. The portal, which can be accessed through the Peppard Building Supplies website, allows account holders greater access to their invoices, bills and statements.

“We’ve had some great feedback from customers who have found the portal useful,” Neil added. “It means that they can access their accounts at a time that’s convenient for them. If they lose an invoice or want to make a repeat order, the information is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

To open an account with Peppard Building Supplies call 0118 972 2028 or email claire.fenton@peppardgroup.co.uk

When property developer and Peppard customer Glyn Rosser worked on his first renovation — a modest £44,000 three-bedroomed property in the early 1990s — he knew he had found his vocation.

Having spent time working in a mortuary and print sales, the owner of A4 Building & Project Management, Glyn Rosser admits that the opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time.

“In 1990 I spent my working days sat right opposite my manager in a sales job I hated. It was tough going,” Glyn recalled. “Eventually I bought a derelict house with a friend and we set about renovating it and within just two weeks I was hooked.”

More than two decades later, and now a seasoned developer, Glyn today puts that enthusiasm and knowledge into other people’s projects.

Often working on period properties, he uses the skills he learned turning profits on his own developments to help owners save on their construction and renovation costs. He said: “Everybody should develop their home if possible in my opinion, after–all it is still the only method of generating tax free capital sums.”

Glyn added: “A4 Building & Project Management is quite different to other construction companies.

Our fees are fixed, and pegged to the duration of works.

“I use considerable development experience and product knowledge to ensure that our customer’s project is built to the highest standard for the least spend.”

This unusual approach to developing properties has proved popular. Glyn explained that his hybrid approach to construction has drawn enquiries from budget conscious customers through to professional property developers.

In fact, such is the level of domestic and commercial enquiries; Glyn is recruiting additional admin and site management colleagues to cope with demand.

With a busy year and exciting plans ahead, when it comes to for A4 Building & Project Management, it really is a case of watch this space…

Developer carves niche with Project Managed construction

Neil Bryant, associate director of Peppard Building Supplies.

Would you like to feature in the Peppard Building Supplies newsletter?

We have decided to feature some of our innovative and inspirational customers in our 2015 newsletters. To take part contact us on 0118 972 2028 or email claire@accordpr.co.uk

New product — Ivory Sandstone by the Natural Paving Company

Demand increase for aggregates

Why not look at our special offers at www.peppardbuildingsupplies.com/promotions View your account at www.peppardbuildingsupplies.com/content /my–account–details

As the construction sector

gains strength across the UK,

there has been a huge increase

in demand for building products,

and aggregates are no exception.

Over our 65 years in business, Peppard Building Supplies has become one of the leading suppliers of aggregates in the Reading and Henley areas.

Ru Butler, sales and marketing director of Peppard Building Supplies, said: “During the years of recession for the building industry demand for quarried aggregates declined, which in turn led to reduced capacity.

“At Peppard we have long standing relationships with suppliers and so have kept a wide range of Primary British Standard aggregates, including everything from scalpings, ballast and building sand to top soil. As a long–standing mainstay of our business, we now carry the widest range of aggregates in the area.”

Peppard Building Supplies regularly delivers 3.5, 8.5 and 20 tonne quantities of loose aggregates across the Reading and Henley areas.

“With a large fleet of tippers and crane off–load vehicles, we are usually able to deliver aggregates within 24 hours,” Ru added.

Looking forward, with the increase in demand for these products there are likely to be price increases in 2015 as demand outstrips capacity.

Ru said: “The supply of quarried aggregates in the Berkshire and Oxfordshire counties declined significantly during the recession and with the increased demand for these products quarries are having to increase production.

“Now, more than ever, we would advise customers to place their orders well in advance of delivery to get the best possible price and service.”

When it comes to paving, there’s little to beat the classic appeal of natural stone products.

If you are looking for a touch of restrained glamour that works well with both contemporary and traditional buildings, then Ivory Sandstone is a natural — and elegant — choice.

This particular sandstone, from Natural Paving Company collection, combines whites, creams, buffs and yellows with splashes of coral in a smooth and honed flagstone.

Matt Clements, Peppard Building Supplies’ paving specialist, said: “We have noticed a substantial increase in customers looking for natural paving both at our Dunsden site and searching online.

“This range of paving slabs is particularly in demand because of the ivory colour and sawn finish, which gives the products a very contemporary feel.”

Matt added that as a natural product, Ivory Sandstone offers high levels of durability and a ‘through’ colour.

“There’s no mistaking natural stone,” he said. “Each piece has a unique blend of colours and tones, which gives the finished project a distinctive look.

“Natural stone will also retain its look over time, in fact weathering often adds to its appeal.”

To protect the light colour of this product from staining, Matt recommends using Pavertuf Invisible sealant.

The sealant has been specially formulated by the Natural Paving Company to create a protective barrier on stone products. Waterproof and breathable, Pavetuf Invisible can be applied as soon as the stone is laid and can last up to eight years.

You can see the Natural Paving Company range up close at Peppard Building Supplies. Alternatively, for advice on any paving matters, call Matt Clements on 0118 972 2028.

Developer carves niche with Project Managed construction

Putting the squeeze on material costs

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