The contract, worth around £1m per year, represents what is believed to be the first highways contract undertaken by Drain Center, Wolseley’s specialist supplier of below and above ground drainage.

The agreement covers the supply of a range of drainage products, plus product from Wolseley’s construction materials merchant Build Center - including kerb, flag stone, aggregates, concrete rings and covers and frames. 

In a move away from managing its own stores and therefore managing its own stock, Norfolk County Council has contracted Drain Center to supply its regional depots from Wolseley’s national network.  This allows for better control, management and policing of stock levels, reduced wastage and ultimately significant cost savings.  The centralised nature of the supply chain now means that Norfolk will receive consistency of product across its highways network, while the 48 hours delivery agreement reduces waiting and downtime.

David Brice of Norfolk County Council comented: “We wanted to work with a supplier that could not only provide the range and scale of products we needed but also had the expertise to help us reduce and manage long term costs by aiding stock control on an ongoing basis.  Wolseley through its Drain Center and Build Center businesses does just this.”