Procure Plus and IMPACT Manchester to Merge

Procure Plus and IMPACT Manchester are to merge to create the largest social housing procurement organisation in the UK. Following an independent review of other business in June 2009 and carefully considering the strategic options for merging it was found that there was an overwhelming case for bringing these two businesses together.

It was recommended that the merged company come to market under a new company name and brand. This has now been agreed and the new business will be called Procure Plus

Training and community development will remain the focus of the new organisation.

The merger is on track to be completed by the summer of 2010.

Collaboration - your chance to shape the future

This is the second bulletin aimed at our landlord partners, their tenants and the existing and prospective supply chains. Having completed the first stage of the procurement exercise, we have now launched both tenders. Evaluation of tenders will be undertaken by the consortia, Valueworks, the landlord teams and their tenants in the coming months.

Progress so far

• The refresh is well advanced with tenders now launched for both Installers and Material Supply chains.
• We have had a fantastic response at feedback events from landlords and the existing supply chain along with constructive 'Meet the Buyer events' for all.
• Constructive comments from the feedback have been fed into the sourcing process to ensure continuous improvement.
• Over 250 installers applied for the opportunity and of these 169 will be proceeding through to tender stage. A good mix of incumbent and new organisations with varying size, capacity, geography and skills base.
• 200 material suppliers applied and of these circa 130 will proceed through to tender stage. A good mix of incumbents and new suppliers to the framework across the supply lots, representing merchant distributors and equipment manufacturers keen to win business across the north of England.
• PQQ and ITT submissions were administered using the Procure Plus Tender Management web based software.
• Landlord category teams continue to drive the requirements and represent landlords from with Procure Plus, Impact Manchester, CHP and LHP and for materials include landlords from nep and Efficiency North.
• Tenant panels meet after each category team meeting to provide end user support to the process and the technical input provided by their landlords.
• The HCA has renewed its commitment to the good work of the consortia and the refresh work by agreeing to part fund the material procurement exercise.