New Asda construction projects to offer more jobs within building industry
Asda has joined the Construction Products Association, becoming the body's first client. The superstore is seeking to form direct relationships with its building supply chain, and joined the body this month with the aim to improve its ties with specialist subcontractors and product suppliers.
Asda works with eight main contractors who are responsible for sourcing and appointing subcontractors, along with its contracted quality surveyors. Bosses of the supermarket say they will bring in suppliers if they don't think the main firms can contribute, though it maintains its main contractors will continue to appoint their supply chain.
The property communications manager from Asda's retail development team, Phil Bartram said: "We are always interested in talking to suppliers that are able to provide innovative new ways of solving problems, helping us drive value and improve our processes. In fact, we are so keen to increase the depth of our subcontracting base that we recently joined the Construction Products Association, which provides us with a better range of suppliers in key areas such as steel work, cladding, walling and electrical engineering, among others."
This year alone, Asda has built 12 new stores and 10 extensions using a range of suppliers from the UK construction industry, which range from builders and engineers, to electricians. It is the UK's second largest retailer, which operated over 360 stores and employ more than 160,000 staff.
Asda have 11 more projects which are currently in the hands of planning departments, which could see more building and construction jobs to be offered to help develop more superstores across the UK.