New Division hailed a SUCCESS

The launch earlier this year of Expamet Building Product's, Construction Division, is being hailed a huge success, following an increase in orders for both new and improved products ranges.

By forming the Construction Division, Expamet has been able to bring a selection of new products to market as well as consolidate some of its most popular brands including, Hy-Rib- permanent formwork for concrete, BAT Engineering Systems and its Power-Tie range of wall ties.

BAT windposts have been particularly well received, thanks to Expamet’s enhanced manufacturing methods. The ability to apply rounded corners to posts, has allowed the company to reduce the handling risks often associated with metalwork in the construction industry and improve the level of health and safety on-site.

Part numbering of products has also added to the increase in sales by making traceability of products much easier, whilst windposts, spandrel and parapet posts are being individually designed, on a project-by-project basis, to help meet the exact needs of customers.

"We wanted to establish a division that provides end users with exactly what they want" explains Trading Director, Roger Hall. "By talking to end users on-site and listening specifically to what it is they require we have be able to deliver a Construction Division that not only supplies a range of new and improved product ranges but delivers first class after sales service too".

Identification of products arriving on-site has also been welcomed with each product being sequentially numbered and packed according to a site-plan.

“We were particularly impressed with the presentation of the products” says Brickwork Contractor, Mick Morgan. "If it’s a choice between ordering products that you’ll have to spend a day sorting through, or products that arrive in exactly the order you need them, it’s obvious which one you’ll choose. Just etching numbers onto products has made such a difference. Often we would receive orders, fully labelled on the packaging, but as soon as they were unwrapped there was always the danger they would get moved or mixed up. Every post comes packed with its own fixings so it really couldn’t be more simple. Expamet has made the exact changes we asked for and the difference it has made on-site is phenomenal."

Another time saving solution which has happened as a result of the recent changes is by adding expansion joint foam to masonry supports at the point of manufacture, rather than installation. This makes the supports quicker to install, easier to position and seal, and significantly reduces the amount of foam waste which resulted from cutting on site.

Also, the introduction of a new, marked, Type 1 wall tie to the power-tie range has proved to be a positive move for the company.

"We have an excellent customer base", continues Roger Hall, "which has grown with Expamet over a number of years however until now many of our customers have had to source certain products such as Type 1 wall ties elsewhere, which was frustrating for both them and us. As a result we our now offering a much more comprehensive range which means customers can now source the majority of the items they require with one easy phone call."

The new Type 1 wall tie has also been tagged with masonry markings. The 62.5 embedment is clearly visible, meaning better accuracy and improved overall quality control.

So, all-in-all, this really has been a positive move for Expamet. At a time when many companies are down sizing and cost cutting, Expamet has proven that the adage of 'speculate to accumulate', really does work.

"It was never a question of expansion for expansion’s sake" concludes Roger, "At Expamet we did our homework, we spoke to our customers and we now provide a number of products and services that they asked for. The results speak for themselves. And we have every confidence that the success of these first few months will continue well into the future."