26 Mar 2008

United Utilities' Hodder water treatment works, near Clitheroe in LancashireUnited Utilities and high security locking and access control solutions provider Abloy UK have signed an innovative framework agreement covering the sourcing, supply and pricing of parts for Abloy locking suites installed across the utility company's water and wastewater treatment sites, pumping stations, water towers and reservoirs in northwest England.

United Utilities Supply Chain Solutions Buyer, Kerry Hill, explains, "We renewed this framework agreement with Abloy to build upon the valuable benefits we had seen during the initial 12-month period.  As well as quicker, more efficient ordering of parts at fixed prices and with guaranteed minimum lead times; the agreement also ensures our ordering system is safe and secure.  We have full traceability of all security control locks and keys, which is particularly important for some of our water treatment works and reservoirs."

Security and preventing unauthorised access to any United Utilities clean water or wastewater site is an operational imperative for the Warrington-headquartered company, which has used Abloy locks and access control products for nearly two decades.

Abloy UK's Rob Bennett comments, "We are delighted to have signed this agreement with United Utilities and look forward to the opportunity to innovate more as our working relationship continues to grow."