Hills Electrical & Mechanical has developed the First Choice Initiative, a supply chain programme that aims to reduce the company's operating costs by £1 million in the current financial year.
But it is not all one sided – Hills will pass on the savings to its clients in the form of better value building services installations.

The scheme involves Hills working more closely with its first tier suppliers including wholesalers, distributors and equipment hire outlets.

In return for offering Hills the best value on products and services, suppliers will feature in roadshows where Hills takes its services direct to the offices of consulting engineers and clients in its customised Battle Bus. There is also a procurement sourcebook listing all products and services offered by First Choice Initiative suppliers and monthly briefings, where suppliers will be told of new work procured by Hills.

HIlls' md David Hill said of the initiative: "Hills is committed to using innovative, quality, value for money products in our customers installations. That is what First Choice is all about."