The independent builders’ merchant has opened its first Fibo Collect self-service batching plant at its Widnes branch, giving tradespeople access to freshly mixed concrete, mortar and screed in volumes from just 0.25m³.
In a “major new investment” from the company, the striking new machine allows customers to order exactly the quantity of material they require, starting from just 0.25m³, before collecting it directly from the branch using a trailer, flatbed vehicle or mortar tub. And for loads below 0.8m³, the complete automated mixing and pouring process can take less than five minutes.
The Fibo Collect machine has the capacity to produce up to 16m³ of material per hour, while a range of concrete, mortar and screed recipes can be produced to suit different applications. There is no need to pre-book a standard collection, helping tradespeople fit material collection around their working day rather than the other way around.
For Beesley & Fildes, the investment is seen as representing a new approach to one of the construction industry’s most familiar challenges: how to source relatively small quantities of freshly mixed material without the time involved in mixing it manually or the restrictions that can accompany conventional ready-mix deliveries.
Craig Halpin, Branch Manager at Beesley & Fildes Widnes, said: “Anyone who works in the building trade knows how frustrating it can be when you need more concrete or mortar than is practical to mix by hand, but nowhere near enough to justify a large delivery. That is exactly the problem we wanted Fibo Collect to solve.
“A customer can come into the Widnes branch, tell us what they need, collect their barcode and have the material mixed ready for them within minutes. They only buy the quantity their job requires, and they can collect their other building materials at the same time.”
Craig added: “For our customers, it is really about giving them back time. Five or ten minutes saved here and there makes a huge difference across a working week, particularly for smaller builders and tradespeople who are moving between several jobs.
“We think this is going to become an incredibly useful part of the service we offer here in Widnes.”
The installation forms part of the firm’s wider commitment to investing in services and technology that make building materials easier and more convenient for customers to access.
Commercial Director James Beesley explained: “The role of a builders’ merchant is changing. Customers quite rightly expect us to do more than simply have products sitting on shelves or in the yard. They want us to help make their businesses more productive, reduce wasted time and find better ways of getting materials onto site.
“Fibo Collect is a great example of that philosophy. We are taking sophisticated automated batching technology and making it accessible to the everyday builder, landscaper and tradesperson from a local builders’ merchant branch.”
James continued: “There is also an important efficiency and sustainability element. Giving customers greater control over the exact quantity they purchase can help reduce surplus material and unnecessary waste. If somebody needs 0.35m³ for a job, the aim is that they can buy 0.35m³ rather than having to find an alternative designed around much larger volumes.
“We have always believed that independent merchants should be prepared to innovate. This is a significant investment for Beesley & Fildes, but ultimately the test is very simple: does it make life easier for our customers? We believe this does.”
