Streamlined Procurement, Standardisation, and Efficient Delivery with Chemical Dosing Solutions : Colloide

Streamlined Procurement, Standardisation, and Efficient Delivery of Chemical Dosing Solutions

Chemical dosing is critical for ensuring the safety and efficiency of water treatment processes. As the demand for sustainable, cost-effective solutions grows, water companies are increasingly seeking innovations that reduce complexity and improve operational efficiency. Among the most effective ways to achieve this are through streamlined procurement, standardisation, and efficient delivery models.

Standardisation of Systems

Traditionally, chemical dosing systems have been site-specific, leading to lengthy design and manufacturing processes. However, the trend toward standardisation is changing this dynamic. By developing a suite of standardised dosing rigs, water companies can meet more site requirements with minimal modifications, cutting down on production times and costs. This approach provides a higher level of reliability, as each system has undergone the same rigorous testing and quality control.

Standardisation also eliminates the need for bespoke designs, offering a consistent, proven solution that reduces risk while delivering reliable performance across multiple sites. By shifting to standardised rigs, water companies can meet a large portion of their needs without the time and cost associated with customisation.

Advanced Procurement Models

While standardisation improves design, advanced procurement models are transforming how systems are delivered. Dosing rigs traditional take months to manufacture and deliver, but with advanced procurement, companies can use pre-manufactured units ready for immediate deployment. This reduces lead times, enabling faster delivery. By stocking units in dedicated facilities, companies can take advantage of economies of scale, securing fixed prices and minimising risks from inflation and supply chain issues. For example, Colloide’s standardisation strategy allowed Severn Trent Water to place a record order of 154 units, cutting delivery times from several months to just two weeks.

Cost Reduction and Scalability

Cost-efficiency is a major priority for water companies. Bulk purchasing and standard designs help achieve substantial cost savings without compromising on quality. For Colloide, our initial batch of six dosing projects for STW saved over £1m, and by locking in procurement prices for 146 rigs in 2021, Colloide helped STW save over £6m, shielding them from inflation and supply chain disruptions.

Standardisation also enhances scalability. With pre-manufactured rigs available, companies can rapidly expand operations across multiple sites, ensuring timely project completion and reducing the risk of cost overruns.

Fast-Track Deployment

Manufacturing and testing dosing rigs off-site allow for a significant reduction in installation times. Colloide’s “plug-and-play” approach ensures that once rigs arrive on-site, they can be quickly integrated into the system, minimising downtime. Since the development of our standard product in 2016 in collaboration with STW, Colloide has adapted and sold this product to several major utilities, including Severn Trent Water, Welsh Water, Irish Water, Southern Water, Thames Water, Scottish Water, and United Utilities.

This approach has enabled Colloide to deliver 112 of 154 dosing rigs for STW in just five months, significantly accelerating project timelines. Strategic stock management and a robust logistics network ensure that critical components are always available and dispatched on time.

Sustainable and Resilient Solutions for the Future

As sustainability continues to be a central focus for the water industry, Colloide’s solutions are designed with the environment in mind. Standardisation reduces waste, and pre-testing dosing rigs off-site ensures that resources are used efficiently. Furthermore, by mitigating supply chain risks through advanced procurement strategies, Colloide is helping water companies build more resilient infrastructure that can withstand future challenges.

Leading the Way in Chemical Dosing Solutions

With over 20 years of experience in water, energy, and environmental sectors, Colloide has become a trusted partner for leading water utilities in the UK and Ireland. By offering advanced chemical dosing solutions, Colloide helps clients streamline procurement, reduce costs, and achieve fast deployment. As the UK water industry prepares for the next Asset Management Period, Colloide plans to refine its strategies further. With a dedicated yard capable of storing 300 dosing rigs, efficient inventory management and exceptional operational efficiency, scalability, and sustainability can be achieved for clients.