A new Exeter hub, on the Sowton Industrial Estate dedicated to LiveWest, has launched to assist with improving the repair service for our customers.
Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS) has recruited a local team of drivers who will deliver materials ordered by the trade operatives across the geography of our homes.
They host the AVAIL app which is being rolled out to each trade team at LiveWest, starting with the day-to-day repair teams.
Van stocks have been designed and set up through the AVAIL app, enabling replenishment of van stock items as they are used in our homes. Tradespeople can use the AVAIL app to re-order any items used in real-time. Each week the trade operative collects the replenished items which will be waiting for collection.
The benefits of using the app and automated van stocks will be to reduce overall repair times for customers due to less visits to collect materials. This will also benefit our sustainability targets with reducing mileage and a reduction in plastic products.
Products can be selected for use through the AVAIL app. LiveWest and Jewson Partnership Solutions has worked together to reduce plastic products available, by using HIPPO products which use bamboo.
Liane Sheppard, our Director of Property Services, said: “The launch of this Exeter hub is great for our trades team.
“As an organisation, we've been looking at how we can improve the services with our repairs and maintenance for our customers. We are focusing on sustainability and availability of repairs for our customers.
“Our operatives have helped design the van stocks across the different areas and so far, we've rolled this to the West of England, and we are in the middle of rolling out Cornwall too. Eventually, all our in-house operative teams will be able to use the app, which is a great resource.”
The new approach will support with environmental benefits by reducing trades carbon footprint, but it will also streamline processes for our trade workforce.
As well as Jewson Partnership Solutions role in providing a more efficient way of approaching repairs, for the past two years, the company has also helped our trade apprentices with new toolboxes.
Liane added: “Jewson Partnership Solutions has been really supportive with our apprentices. We currently have around 40 trade apprentices who have been supported with toolboxes, which is brilliant.”
LiveWest recently hosted an open day with Jewson Partnership Solutions at the hub to showcase the development of the app and suppliers were also there to provide support with their products and show what is on offer.
Scott Cooper, Managing Director at Jewson Partnership Solutions, said: “When we started JPS back in 2020, LiveWest was one of the first large contracts that we won in social housing and remains a contract we are immensely proud of.
“Over the last three and a half years, the contract has evolved in many different ways and the opening of this hub in Exeter reflects our commitment and intention for the future of the contract.
"We have focused on creating an open and honest relationship built on trust, which ultimately delivers for the most important stakeholder, the resident.”
Headline image: Jewson Partnership Solutions
