Deane DLO marks out Vitax for sports sites
Vitax Amenity has clinched the agreement to supply Taunton Deane Borough Council with line marking paints and machines under a three-year deal. Vitax will supply Ready to Use (RTU) paint and 12 of its innovative TXE 606 line markers to Deane DLO, the council's direct labour organisation, in an agreement that is expected to further improve efficiencies of its grounds maintenance operation.
Under a full testing process, Deane DLO trialled a number of RTU paints on council sportspitches and school sites. In the six-month study, Vitax Supaturf paints clearly came out ahead.
"The liquid showed good durability, producing a strong, clean line that lasted longer than the others we tested," said Darren Hill, Open Spaces Projects & Contracts Manager.
"Our team of 30 operatives use some 25,000L of line marking paint a year across all the council's sports sites, so the ability to dilute the Vitax Supaturf liquid and still produce the quality we want means the same quantity can stretch further, savings costs. Also, the line marking machines lay down a third less paint per run, delivering added efficiencies."
Glen Howard, Vitax Technical Sales, who will be managing the Taunton Deane account, said: "When budgets are tight, councils need to ensure they maximise value and customer service from their suppliers. Local authorities are increasingly turning to those who can deliver on these aspects of grounds maintenance."
Since its root and branch review in 2010, Deane DLO is on track to save more than £5m by next year, with rolling reviews of its operational efficiency forming the backbone of its success.
"After using a competing line-marking paint for many years, Deane DLO decided to test the market," Darren added, "and Vitax won the agreement on quality and price, helping us to improve the standard of service we provide for council-owned sports sites."