Rapid IT secures prestigious university framework agreement

A Lancashire IT asset management specialist has secured a prestigious framework agreement to deliver IT recycling services to universities nationwide.  The business is well placed to do so given their logistical location and state of the art secure ITAD processing facility.  

Rapid IT, in Padiham, fought off competition from 17 UK businesses to be named one of the top three suppliers for five consortia connected to UK Universities Purchasing Consortia (UKUPC), a formal entity supporting collaborative procurement within Higher and Further Education.  

Rapid IT has over 30 years of trading experience within the sector and boasts one of the most advanced facilities for IT life cycle and asset management in the UK. Strong customer relationships, repeat business, certifications and awards are all testimony to the company’s achievements and success. Their accreditations include ISO:9001; ISO:14001; ISO:27001; BS:15713 and Cyber Essentials Qualification.

The framework agreement is designed to reduce waste volumes, optimise product utilisation and enable the repurposing of redundant items for use by others.  The UKUPC requires suppliers to embed responsible and ethical procurement, sustainable supply chain management and social value into their services, all of which are mirrored within Rapid IT’s own company vision.

Jack Bannister, Rapid IT’s managing director said: “Rapid IT’s purpose goes far beyond profit.  We are constantly striving to make positive changes in the world for the benefit of our customers, community and the environment.  We are a business passionate about our own green credentials and are committed to helping our customers attain their sustainability objectives.”

To maximise the higher levels of the waste hierarchy, redundant assets with operational functionality and value are collected, transported and processed with the intention of reuse and in support of a circular economy.  Assets and equipment with no residual value are processed for recycling and recovery in line with Rapid IT’s zero waste to landfill policy.   

In addition to their green credentials, Rapid IT utilises solar energy, electric cars and smart lighting.  They also offset their employees’ carbon impact, operate a cycle-to-work scheme and plants trees on behalf of their customers.

David Yates, category manager at the North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium, said: “Rapid IT is a very welcome addition to the framework and will be a great asset to all of the UKUPC members that have access to their services. Their knowledge, experience and acumen will be key in ensuring that e-waste disposal is achieved both responsibly and compliantly.”

Social value is showcased by Rapid IT’s Tech 4 All Kids campaign whereby donations are made to schools and charities to help address the issue of digital poverty.  Having the opportunity to partner with the UKUPC consortia and like-minded institutions will be a great boost to this campaign.