The Challenge: National Agreements, Local Frustration

Programmed by Persol operates across multiple regions, with teams that rely on consistent, timely access to uniforms to stay compliant, safe, and presentable on-site.

Like many national organisations, procurement had established a “preferred supplier” through a formal process—designed to standardise purchasing and streamline operations.

But on the ground, a different reality emerged.

Branches began experiencing:

• Extended delivery delays — weeks, sometimes months
• Lack of communication and visibility
• Inconsistent fulfilment across locations

The result? Operational disruption, frustrated teams, and growing pressure on local managers to find alternatives just to keep their crews working.

The Workaround: Local Teams Take Action

Despite the national agreement, several Programmed branches began reaching out to All Trades directly—relying on us to fill urgent uniform gaps.

Why?

Because they needed:

• Stock available now, not in 6–8 weeks
• A supplier who would answer the phone
• Confidence that orders would be fulfilled correctly and quickly

What started as ad hoc support quickly became a pattern.

The Turning Point: Head Office Re-engages

Following a recent change in national supplier—again through a procurement-led process—branches reported the same issues resurfacing.

• Delays persisted
• Service levels remained poor
• Confidence in the “preferred supplier” eroded quickly

This time, the feedback reached higher.

A State Manager stepped in, formally directing branches to engage All Trades for uniform supply to keep operations moving.

The Solution: National Capability, Local Service

All Trades stepped in with a model that procurement teams often aim for—but rarely achieve in practice:

✔ National Reach
We service multiple Programmed locations across regions, ensuring consistency without sacrificing responsiveness.

✔ Speed to Delivery
Stock availability and efficient logistics mean teams get what they need—fast.

✔ Direct, Personal Support
Branches deal with real people who understand urgency, not ticketing systems and delays.

✔ Operational Reliability
Orders are processed accurately, communicated clearly, and delivered when promised.

The Procurement Insight: What This Means at Head Office Level

This case highlights a common gap in national procurement strategy:

A supplier may look right on paper—but fail in execution at the branch level.

For procurement leaders, the takeaway is clear:

• Service performance must match scale
• Supplier responsiveness is as critical as price
• Local operational feedback is a leading indicator—not an exception

Why All Trades Works

We’re not trying to be the biggest supplier on paper.

We focus on being the supplier that actually delivers when it matters.

That means:

• Faster turnaround times
• Better communication
• Accountability at every step

And critically:

• The ability to support national operations without losing local responsiveness

Looking Forward

As Programmed branches continue to rely on All Trades, the opportunity is clear:

A supply model that combines national capability with real service delivery—not just contractual alignment.

Because at the end of the day, procurement success isn’t measured by agreements.

It’s measured by whether your teams have what they need, when they need it.

If you’re reviewing supplier performance across multiple sites, we’d love to start a conversation.