| The steps to successful buying of any decking | | | | can make his selection: |
| material can easily be remembered by using the | | | | (1) hardwood from, ideally, a sustainable source; |
| pneumonic - SUCCESS | | | | (2) recycled plastic decking; |
| S - Start with a clear view of what you are | | | | (3) glass reinforced plastic; and |
| buying and why (consider benefits as well as | | | | (4) decking manufactured using wood flour and |
| features). | | | | polyester (composite decking). |
| U - Understand what your own customers really | | | | Each group has different benefits and |
| want. It may be different to your opinion. | | | | disadvantages that can make a balanced |
| C - Comparative analysis of alternative materials. | | | | evaluation difficult. There are however a number |
| C - Centre your buying activity on customer | | | | of aids that assist the procurement manager in |
| needs. | | | | his duty and these include, published data, technical |
| E - Educate yourself regarding alternatives. | | | | papers, published test results and articles in trade |
| S - Sincerity is the key to lasting customer | | | | papers. |
| relationships; do not try to sell your own | | | | Set out below is a comparison between recycled |
| prejudices. | | | | plastic decking and composite decking. |
| S - Start from the beginning each time you buy, | | | | Recycled Plastic Decking |
| whilst remembering to build on previous | | | | This is typically made from high quality recycled |
| relationships where value has been obtained. | | | | plastic residue mainly from the nutrition and |
| During the mobilisation phase of any large project | | | | packaging industry. The various constituent |
| it is usual for the project procurement manager | | | | plastics are ground, mixed and fused at high |
| to issue procurement procedures specifically for | | | | temperature and pressed into moulds. |
| the project well in advance of the first | | | | Properties (relevant material characteristics): |
| commitment being made. These procedures | | | | - Maintenance free - no algal growth |
| determine how the vendors will be selected and | | | | - Potential life of 50/70 years |
| how awards will be made. | | | | - 100% recycled input material |
| It is usual to state that the cheapest material that | | | | - Polymeric material is recyclable after use |
| is technically acceptable will be procured. This | | | | - Does not exude toxic substances |
| stark requirement process is however in danger | | | | - Thermal expansion 0.1mm/m/oC |
| of ignoring any special requirements that your | | | | - Fire resistance Class B2 DIN 4102 |
| customers may have, and it is vital that these | | | | - European manufacture |
| requirements should be fully established at an | | | | Composite Material Decking |
| early stage so that SUCCESS can be achieved. | | | | Composite decking boards can be formed from a |
| What are the minimum requirements that should | | | | mixture of wood flour and ground recycled plastic |
| be met when selecting decking material? | | | | mixed together with virgin polymer resins and |
| The following are minimum requirements that the | | | | curing agents before being extruded to the |
| decking material under consideration should meet, | | | | required section. If polyester resins are used |
| in no particular order of priority: | | | | durability can be compromised. |
| | | | Properties (relevant material characteristics): |
| 1. It should be safe for pedestrian traffic | | | | - Algal growth can feed on surface wood flour |
| 2. It should be weather resistant and rot free | | | | - Life 25 years (10 in extreme conditions) |
| 3. It should provide value for money and offer | | | | - Resin supplies have high oil demand |
| good whole life costs | | | | - Polymer composites discarded after use |
| 4. It should be structurally sound and durable | | | | - Resins & curing agents emit greenhouse gas |
| 5. It should be (environmentally friendly), | | | | - Some thermal expansion |
| sustainable in production, use and eventual disposal | | | | - Fire resistance Class 3 BS476 Part 7 |
| There are of course a number of other desirable | | | | - Often Far East manufacture |
| qualities that the decking should possess such as | | | | What does the information above tell us? |
| being splinter free, stain resistant and algae | | | | When you compare the properties for recycled |
| resistant (nonporous) but for the purpose of | | | | plastic and composite decking, it is clear that |
| evaluation these other qualities can each be | | | | recycled plastic decking gives better value for |
| assigned to one of the main categories set out | | | | money as it requires little or zero maintenance, |
| above | | | | lasts longer and is actually better for the |
| How do you ensure client requirements are met? | | | | environment. |
| It is the first duty of the procurement manager | | | | When aiming for SUCCESS, more thought has to |
| to ensure that the client's requirements are met, | | | | be given to alternatives to traditional hardwood or |
| and within budget. A happy client will be likely to | | | | composite decking as the impact on maintenance |
| return again and again with repeat business and | | | | schedules, safety and replacement timetables is |
| importantly is likely to recommend the | | | | huge. Recycled plastic decking is now readily |
| contractors work to other potential clients - thus | | | | available, and offers better value for money while |
| becoming a salesman for the organisation. | | | | maintaining a low negative impact on the |
| There are four main groups of decking material | | | | environment compared to alternatives. |
| from which the modern procurement manager | | | | |