Smart collection points – a new approach to social housing repairs

A new partnership is delivering a fresh approach to social housing repairs thanks to the UK’s first smart collection points.

GreenSquareAccord has partnered with Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS) to launch its first smart collection point, giving operatives round-the-clock access to materials or tools they’ve ordered, whenever and wherever they need them.

Operatives can instantly access the secure containers, which house 38 individual lockers, via a mobile app. All the goods being held are secured by state-of-the-art encryption technology which will only allow access once the person collecting the goods enters a four-digit, one-time passcode sent to their mobile.

The first collection point has been installed in Chippenham as part of a new three-year contract with plans to roll out the initiative nationwide.

Ken Neale, Director of Repairs and Maintenance, at GreenSquareAccord said: “We’re delighted to be the first customer in the UK to work with JPS to use the new smart lockers. This modern approach will make a real difference to how we work – our operatives will have the necessary parts and equipment to complete a job first time for our customers, without the need to spend time checking stock in local stores or having to travel to branches. We’re expecting to see real benefits across the whole business, with a reduction in multiple visits to customers and less calls into our contact centre. Very importantly, by improving our efficiency, we drive better outcomes for customers, including faster repairs and greater appointment availability.”

JPS is Saint-Gobain’s business created to deliver more for registered providers of social housing, repairs and maintenance contractors and organisations operating in the public sector.

Scott Cooper, Business Director at JPS, said: “These lockers will make a real difference to our larger customers. Items can be ready for collection within 90 minutes during operating hours and picked up with no waiting, helping to improve efficiency for JPS customers.

“Essentially, this technology has the power to transform the way the building supply chain operates, saving our customers time and money every time it’s used. We’re proud to be helping our customers operate as efficiently as possible through investments in innovative systems like this.”

The first collection point was installed in April 2022.