Parker Merchanting, a brand of Rexel, has been awarded PPE supplier to all Scotland Excel members after receiving the highest ranking in multiple categories.

The agreement will see Parker Merchanting as the supplier of choice to all 32 local authorities, 100 public bodies, voluntary organisations, community groups and charities in Scotland. In addition, Tayside Procurement Consortium, all universities and colleges in Scotland, all Scottish NHS authorities and trusts and the Scottish Prison Service will also have access to the company’s products and services.

The multi-million-pound framework agreement, which will run from 2013 to 2017, covers four baskets: hazardous protection, footwear, workwear and weatherwear, and the food industry. As part of the contract, Parker Merchanting will be providing head, eye, face, hearing and respiratory protection, safety footwear, fall arrest equipment, high visibility and protective clothing, workwear and weatherwear.

With speed of delivery and quality of customer service at the core of the company’s offer, any mainland Scotland orders will be serviced through its Edinburgh and Glasgow hubs with a turnaround time of 24 to 48 hours. In addition, customers can readily access stock through the Parker Merchanting trade counter outlets in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling, as well as the 23-strong branch network of Ross Electrical. This network means that customers can benefit from being able to source both electrical and PPE supplies from one source, resulting in cost savings and helping to lower a business’ carbon footprint due to less deliveries.

Nick Stevenson, national account manager from Parker Merchanting, commented: “We won the contract on the basis of best value, but in a framework agreement this isn’t necessarily about offering the lowest price, and we were able to demonstrate that the most cost-effective solution shouldn’t be based on the initial outlay. For us, it’s about what we can offer beyond competitively priced goods such as the service, logistical support through our network of more than 25 branches, technical product expertise and on-site support.”

For more information on Parker Merchanting, go to www.parker-direct.com.