AUTOGRAPHS

Steps To SUCCESS In Buying The Most Appropriate Decking Material

The steps to successful buying of any decking material can easily be remembered by using the pneumonic – SUCCESS

S – Start with a clear view of what you are buying and why (consider benefits as well as features).

U – Understand what your own customers really want. It may be different to your opinion.

C – Comparative analysis of alternative materials.

C – Centre your buying activity on customer needs.

E – Educate yourself regarding alternatives.

S – Sincerity is the key to lasting customer relationships; do not try to sell your own prejudices.

S – Start from the beginning each time you buy, whilst remembering to build on previous relationships where value has been obtained.

During the mobilisation phase of any large project it is usual for the project procurement manager to issue procurement procedures specifically for the project well in advance of the first commitment being made. These procedures determine how the vendors will be selected and how awards will be made.

It is usual to state that the cheapest material that is technically acceptable will be procured. This stark requirement process is however in danger of ignoring any special requirements that your customers may have, and it is vital that these requirements should be fully established at an early stage so that SUCCESS can be achieved.

What are the minimum requirements that should be met when selcting decking material?

The following are minimum requirements that the decking material under consideration should meet, in no particular order of priority:

a)      It should be safe for pedestrian traffic

b)      It should be weather resistant and rot free

c)      It should provide value for money and offer good whole life costs

d)     It should be structurally sound and durable

e)      It should be (environmentally friendly), sustainable in production, use and eventual disposal

There are of course a number of other desirable qualities that the decking should possess such as being splinter free, stain resistant and algae resistant (nonporous) but for the purpose of evaluation these other qualities can each be assigned to one of the main categories set out above

How do you ensure client requirements are met?

It is the first duty of the procurement manager to ensure that the client’s requirements are met, and within budget. A happy client will be likely to return again and again with repeat business and importantly is likely to recommend the contractors work to other potential clients – thus becoming a salesman for the organisation.

There are four main groups of decking material from which the modern procurement manager can make his selection: (1) hardwood from, ideally, a sustainable source; (2) recycled plastic decking; (3) glass reinforced plastic; and (4) decking manufactured using wood flour and polyester (composite decking). Each group has different benefits and disadvantages that can make a balanced evaluation difficult. There are however a number of aids that assist the procurement manager in his duty and these include, published data, technical papers, published test results and articles in trade papers.

Set out below is a comparison between recycled plastic decking and composite decking.

Recycled Plastic Decking

This is typically made from high quality recycled plastic residue mainly from the nutrition and packaging industry.  The various constituent plastics are ground, mixed and fused at high temperature and pressed into moulds.

Properties (relevant material characteristics):

• Maintenance free – no algal growth
• Potential life of 50/70 years
• 100% recycled input material
• Polymeric material is recyclable after use
• Does not exude toxic substances
• Thermal expansion 0.1mm/m/oC
• Fire resistance Class B2 DIN 4102
• European manufacture

Composite Material Decking

Composite decking boards can be formed from a mixture of wood flour and ground recycled plastic mixed together with virgin polymer resins and curing agents before being extruded to the required section.  If polyester resins are used durability can be compromised.

Properties (relevant material characteristics)

• Algal growth can feed on surface wood flour
• Life 25 years (10 in extreme conditions)
• Resin supplies have high oil demand
• Polymer composites discarded after use
• Resins & curing agents emit greenhouse gas
• Some thermal expansion
• Fire resistance Class 3 BS476 Part 7
• Often Far East manufacture

When you compare the properties for recycled plastic and composite decking, it is clear that recycled plastic decking gives better value for money as it requires little or zero maintenance, lasts longer and is actually better for the environment.

When aiming for SUCCESS, more thought has to be given to alternatives to traditional hardwood or composite decking as the impact on maintenance schedules, safety and replacement timetables is huge. Recycled plastic decking is now readily available, and offers better value for money while maintaining a low negative impact on the environment compared to alternatives.

 

About the Author

David Croucher is the Managing Director of Plasti Limited, providers of fully recycled industrial plastic products in the marine, building and civil engineering sectors. Plasti products are manufactured using feedstock from approved sources. They are also extremely safe, have very long lives, are environmentally friendly and require zero or low maintenance. This means they have excellent whole life costs when compared to hardwood and composite alternatives.

David’s expertise in the specification and design of marine, building and civil infrastructures is recognised within the marine and construction industry. His technical advice and input into projects is highly valued, which is a result of his great experience as a senior procurement leader in complex, global organisations.

For more information about Plasti Limited, please visit http://www.plasti.co.uk.

 

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