Since 1909, Balfour Beatty has been the contractor behind some of the world’s most important construction projects, creating and caring for the vital infrastructure that underpins all our daily lives. From roads and railways, to airports, bridges, power plants and places to live and work, Balfour Beatty shapes the world we live in, fulfilling both nationally critical complex infrastructure through to local and regional projects at the heart of our communities.
With a shared vision and commitment to sustainable development and building for the future, Frazer has collaborated with and supported Balfour Beatty on a significant number of UK infrastructure projects, providing expert advice and innovative solutions on a vast range of schemes.
Martin Cope, National Account Manager at Frazer, has worked closely with Balfour Beatty on many of these projects: “Our collaborative approach and shared vision with Balfour Beatty is what makes our relationship such a success. We understand their business, the way they operate, their requirements and the challenges they face. On every project we partner, we put ourselves in their shoes. Our role isn’t simply to supply materials. It’s much more than that. We are a partner and an extension of their own team. From day one we make sure that our knowledge of the project is aligned, enabling us to recommend the most suitable and innovative solutions for the job. We deliver an uncompromised level of service too. We guarantee that solutions are easily supplied, quick to order and delivered where and when they are needed. It’s this that makes us stand out and it’s simply how we do business.”
And Frazer really does go above and beyond to deliver excellent service. “I think one of the reasons we have such great relationships with our customers is that we always look at things from their perspective,” continues Martin. “We are constantly trying to find new ways to support them, to make their experience of working with us even simpler. For Balfour Beatty we have developed a bespoke online ordering catalogue and system to make ordering products even easier. We are also currently trialling a new provision that will assist buyers and project managers to accurately price jobs and gauge product availability. It is proving to be really successful with the Balfour Beatty team and we are hoping to roll this out further once the trial is complete.”
“I think one of the reasons we have such great relationships with our customers is that we always look at things from their perspective.”
Martin Cope - Frazer National Account Manager
It’s this kind of collaboration that really showcases the real capability of Frazer. Going the extra mile to find and invest in solutions that enhance each and every part of the customer relationship. “Collaboration is vital at every stage of the supply chain,” continues Martin. “We play a very central role in the construction industry and championing the journey to net zero. It is our responsibility to ensure that our customers are introduced to the latest material innovations that will get them there and that our suppliers are aware of the
challenges our customers face to meet the challenges of modern construction. ‘Building New Futures’, the Balfour Beatty sustainability strategy, shares the same principles of our own vision and is another great example of how collaboration is a vital part of our successful relationship. We regularly host meetings with the team to discuss key sustainability issues to ensure that we are supporting where needed and actively working towards our joint targets. It’s quite simple really, by working together, we help to shape each other’s businesses, developing the innovative solutions we need to improve our operations and satisfy the demand for more sustainable materials.”
The joint purpose of working together goes beyond commercial projects, Frazer regularly supports Balfour Beatty in the delivery of vital community projects, Martin explains “The most recent of which is Parsonage Pocket Park in Withington, Manchester. Last year Balfour Beatty assisted Highways England to transform an unloved and under used space within this urban area into a beautiful pocket park. They needed support with materials and turf to complete the transformation so we engaged the team at Rolawn, a key Frazer partner, who agreed to donate all of the turf free of charge.
Ryan Garfield is Group Buyer at Balfour Beatty and works closely with the team at Frazer. “As the category lead within Balfour Beatty for the last two years, Frazer has shown why they were chosen and now seen to be one of our important strategic partnerships. They have shown multiple facets of a strategic partner with their vision and strategy, values, investment, planning and management systems, communications, risk, and reward.”
Martin Cope concludes: “At the end of the day we strive to provide Balfour Beatty with support in every area we can. Our objective is that we want to be recognised as not just a materials supplier by our customers but as a key partner and that is exactly what we have achieved here. Yes, we provide products but it’s the additional project collaboration, solutions advice, streamlined ordering services, monthly spending reports and critically, the trust we have earnt that makes us an important strategic partner. Our people, our knowledge and our capacity to see the bigger picture is what truly sets us apart.”