Circle is one of the UK's leading providers of affordable housing. With a dedicated team of more than 2,200 staff, Circle manages more than 63,000 homes, including supported and sheltered housing, for around 200,000 people across the UK. Its mission is to enhance the Life Chances of its residents by providing great homes and reliable services, and to build sustainable communities.

The Circle Group includes twelve partners. Nine registered providers (RPs): South Anglia Housing, Wherry Housing Association, Old Ford Housing Association, Circle 33 Housing Trust, Merton Priory Homes, Mole Valley Housing Association, Mercian Housing Association, Roddons Housing Association and Russet Homes; two support & care partners: Circle Support and Invicta Telecare, as well as Circle Living for sales and marketing and management of shared ownership, market rent and private sale properties, and property repairs.

Achieving significant cost savings through centralised purchasing

In 2009 Circle sought to find a solution to enable a coordinated approach to purchasing domestic appliances for both new developments and replacement devices for existing properties. Following a competitive tendering process the contract was awarded to Equanet.

From its distribution centres across the Uk Equanet was able to provide the same competitive pricing, high availability stock and fast and reliable installation services to any of Circle's locations.

The contract requires all nine housing associations to buy centrally which delivers significant cost savings, with the greatest savings to be made on housing developments such as St. Andrews.

Delivering domestic appliances to specific requirements

In the first phase of the project Equanet has delivered the required domestic appliances into seventy six of the one hundred and sixteen properties being built, and the remainder will be completed by the end of the year. The process has gone very smoothly to date. Circle communicates the required delivery date in advance and Equanet takes responsibility for ensuring delivery of the goods timetabled to coincide with the tenants moving in. Goods are delivered and installed in up to thirty properties in one day. On the day of delivery Equanet has a co-ordinated team of between six and eight technicians on site full time to ensure that the installation is finished on time and that the products are up and running successfully. The washing machines are tested on site to ensure the drainage is working and there are no leaks. Any issues with installation or damage are all sorted out by Equanet there and then.

Account management that provides support and reliability

Helen Wren, Circle's Development Manager, has been very happy with the service provided by Equanet. "Equanet always delivers on the right day and everything is installed that very same day. The speed is impressive". The smooth-running of the project is helped by Equanet's account management. Helen confirms: "My account manager, Neil, is brilliant. He is always responsive and very reliable. There can be problems when we try to provide exactly the same domestic appliances in each property. This isn't always possible due to stock availability, but Neil has sourced some great alternatives". Helen is also impressed with the after care service she receives from Equanet. "At first it was difficult to know which helpdesk we should phone should any of the goods become faulty. Neil now provides us with a spreadsheet detailing every product purchased and which helpdesk number to call should there be an issue. It just takes away all the hassle".

For Neil, Circle's account manager, it is very much a partnership: "We have established a good relationship with Circle's development team in London. We have visited them several times and speak regularly on the phone". Neil prides himself on Equanet's ability to be flexible around his client's specific requirements: "Some of the washing machines required needed to be silver, others white. We make sure the right product is delivered to the right address; every time. We also hold stock centrally for Circle, ready to be called off and delivered when required, working to their specific schedule requirements".