Granby at Procurex National 2024

Liverpool Exhibition Centre

In May, Granby were at Procurex National 2024 in Liverpool’s Exhibition Centre where they had the opportunity to meet customers, partners, and suppliers. The buzzword of the event was the Procurement Act 2023, set to be implemented from the end of October this year.

Officially supported by Crown Commercial Service, Procurex National 2024 is an annual event that connects buyers and suppliers from across the UK’s public procurement sector.

The event not only gives exhibitors and visitors an opportunity to learn about the latest developments shaping the future of the UK’s public procurement sector such as the impact of procurement reform; the growing importance of social value and net zero, and what this means for both buyers and suppliers.

The public sector marketplace itself is now worth more than £393bn annually and is made up of various bodies and organisations, from hospitals and schools to central government, blue light services and universities.

Key players like Alex Burghart MP, the Cabinet Office Minister, and Lindsay Maguire, Deputy Director for Procurement Reform, delivered keynote speeches on the timetable and implications of the Act. Conversations revolved around how SMEs can best leverage the changes brought about by the Act. For Granby this is of particular interest as we work closely with a number of public sector organisations and have done for many years now.

Granby at Procurex

On the Granby stand, Victoria, Kayleigh, and Declan engaged in numerous conversations throughout the day, with many visitors drawn to the chance to receive their own Granby Stress Truck.

The event proved successful for Granby, with a steady stream of visitors to our stand promising what we hope will grow into plenty of new opportunities. The Granby stand was right next to the main speakers’ stage, so we were able to fully engage with all the offerings of the day.

“The day was absolutely fantastic. We had the opportunity to connect with so many customers, partners, and suppliers. The energy and buzz around the Procurement Act 2023 was palpable, and it was great to see so many people interested in how it will impact their businesses. The conversations we had were insightful and promising with plenty of customers interested in what we had to say about 3PL Solutions, Contract Packing and Handling & Fulfilment as well as end-to-end digital marketing campaigns, I have to say the response to our Granby Stress Truck toy was illuminating – we just hope they wanted the truck for themselves or their kids as fun toy and not because they were feeling the pressure!”. Overall, it was a successful and engaging day for us at Granby.” Victoria Pittman

28^th October Implementation

Whilst the Procurement Act won’t kick in in real terms until after 28^th October 2024. We do know that we can all expect there to be a much-changed procurement environment. This will be one that that will offer a much easier and more economical way for a public sector customer to compliantly purchase goods and services. As importantly, it will be much easier for a supplier to tender for public sector contracts than through an open tender process.

The size and complexity of the sector and a renewed focus on value for money, transparency and the need for modernisation makes it critical that organisations selling to the public sector or trying to break into the marketplace for the first time, fully understand how public procurement works.

Victoria commented “We also know that this is a way that really does work to best advantage for customers and suppliers – and that includes SMEs who until this point may have thought these contracts were out of their reach. Our own experience is that we have been able to compete cost effectively for contracts and have been awarded those contracts, using frameworks.”

At Procurex National, Lindsay Maguire and Cabinet Office Minister Alex Burghart MP both spoke to delegates about what we can all expect when the Act is implemented later this year.

Lindsay Maguire, Deputy Director for Procurement Reform

Lindsay Maguire, Deputy Director for Procurement Reform at the Cabinet Office talked of the support that will be available for both Public Sector customers and for suppliers, particularly SMEs, with a series of Deep Dives and an eLearning program in place.

Support for business from The Government Commercial College

Learning support will be offered by the Government Commercial College covering a range of key milestones, including updates on Learning & Development opportunities, the progress of the Central Digital Platform, an overview of the Procurement Review Unit, key points to note about the transition process, what to expect over the next 6 months, and how to prepare for the upcoming changes. All participants in these initiatives will gain valuable insights into the new procurement system and how to navigate the transition effectively.

Find a Tender enhancements

This will accompany an enhanced digital “Find a Tender ” service with a Supplier Information service. So, the tools will be there for SMEs to engage more effectively with Public Sector procurement.

One further takeaway from Lindsay’s speech was that the implementation of the Act will need all parties to engage and contribute, including SMEs, and as she put it “we want the marketplace to play a role in how we implement this”.

Alex Burghart MP, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office

Alex Burghart MP drew attention to the significant changes and improvements being made to the procurement process in the UK. The focus on supporting small businesses and ensuring transparency and efficiency in the procurement system is commendable.

Alex Burghart said “So what we’re looking at is an opportunity now to take advantage of this reimagined procurement system, to benefit everyone who has been involved in the process. What we have now, I’m confident, is a simpler and more transparent system that is going to deliver better value for money and reduce costs for business and the public sector. And the beauty of the Act is in its simplicity. When it comes into force, we will experience a whole new approach to procurement.”

He talked of how the new Act aims to benefit both suppliers and public authorities. It will do this by streamlining the bidding process, providing feedback on bids, and taking tougher action on underperforming suppliers. There will also be a a central digital platform. This has been created for suppliers to register and store their details, making it easier for them to bid for contracts.

The Act’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and efficient procurement system is evident in the changes being implemented.

Overall, it seems like the Procurement Act 2023 is a step in the right direction. This is towards creating a more transparent, efficient, and inclusive procurement process in the UK.

Victoria had this to say about the extent of the opportunities. “We’d say there are opportunities but speaking on behalf of SMEs across the country we’d say that historically there has been a lack of awareness of these opportunities. This is why this initiative with Procurement Services is so important. To help ensure that both SMEs as well as publicly owned organisations are fully aware of not just the opportunity but also the process.”

Procurement Services and Granby – A Beginner’s Guide to Public Sector Frameworks – Video Webinar Part 2

This second video looks at Public Sector Frameworks from the perspective of the supplier. This video is brought to you in collaboration with Procurement Services (previously known as KCS Procurement Services). This webinar video looks at the implications primarily from the perspective of the supplier, especially the SME supplier! You can watch this second video here.

The video looks at Public Sector procurement in the light of the 2023 Procurement Act. As we’ve seen in this post, the Act looks to shake up the outdated procurement system. This is primarily to ensure that every pound spent on public procurement goes further. That’s further for communities and public services, emphasising value for money, public benefit, transparency, and integrity.

Granby and Procurement Services

Granby are approved suppliers on Procurement Services’ Logistics, Warehousing & Removal Solution Framework. Lot 1 of this framework covers Warehousing and Storage and Lot 2, Logistics Transport Services. In addition to this Logistics, Warehousing & Removal Solution framework, Granby are on the Courier Services & Specialist Logistics framework.

“As an experienced third party logistics (3PL solutions) company that has worked extensively with the public sector, it’s great that we’re adding to our Procurement Services framework portfolio. We bring a lot to the table – first-class logistics services paired with skilled teams. It’s especially rewarding to be on the Warehousing and Storage Lot as we are about to enter a big year for the Distribution Warehousing sector, the UKWA having designated 2024 as the UK Year of Warehousing.” Victoria Pittman, Head of Client Services and Business Development

3 Key Questions that the webinar addresses

In this video, Granby’s Victoria Pittman and Procurement Services focus on the public sector customer and address three key questions:

1. What is a public sector framework?
2. Who can use it?
3. And what are the benefits?

We also dive deeper into questions we know suppliers are particularly interested in around Frameworks. These are ease of use, contract lengths, implementation processes, and associated costs.

10 key benefits of using a Framework for the public sector supplier

1. Ease of use
2. Time efficiency
3. Pre-built templates and terms and conditions
4. Cost savings
5. Flexibility
6. Pre-qualification of suppliers meaning no multiple form filling
7. Legal compliance assurance
8. Access to expertise
9. Transparent process
10. Social value

Watch the video here

If you’d like to talk about any public sector opportunity or anything raised in this article do get in touch.

_________________

Photo of Alex Burghart MP from UK Government Website