When AMP 5 begins next month, the outcome of 2009’s Price Review negotiations will mean that water companies have "a tough package to deliver” (in the words of Water UK), and they will rightly expect their suppliers to be equal to the task of providing appropriate support.

AVK UK is a leading valve and fittings manufacturer, and we believe that one of our greatest qualities is to identify future market demands and recognise customers’ strategic drivers. Through this reliable strength we anticipated a need to work  closely with customers, as an integral feature of framework agreements and by collaborating with contractors through our high quality distributor network.

Additionally, we proactively responded to the industry’s shift of emphasis from clean to dirty water by adjusting our product profile and continual innovation.

Using an holistic approach, the quotation, sales order, delivery process is backed by enhanced technical support to ensure that products are specified correctly for the job they must do.

AVK’s on-going investment in  our supply chain infrastructure recently gave us a £600,000 automation programme at Corby manufacturing and now every product is fully traceable thanks to dual RFID/barcode scanners and are completed and dispatched faster than before. Additionally systems are in place that ensure raw material suppliers can  support our demand.

Finally, we are ahead of the market in our environmental carbon management programme and can now assist the utilities in delivering their commitment to carbon reduction.

Martin Brody, Service Delivery Director, AVK UK

As featured in Utility Business March 2010