Czech builder-turned-entrepreneur returns to UK to launch Buildiro, the materials-procurement app for tradespeople
Posted by: electime 1st October 2019
CEO and Founder Luke Polach who ran his own building business in the UK (between 2013 and 2017) has launched Buildiro, the world’s first mobile app for materials procurement which solves the key challenge of knowing stock availability thereby eliminating wasted time spent driving to merchants to source items.
Initially launching in London, the app solves inventory issues meaning that tradespeople become more productive and merchants are able to build better customer relations with live online stock availability. This in turn helps them grow sales and attract and retain increasingly demanding customers, thousands of whom have already been helped to source materials up to 30% faster on the first trial of Buildiro earlier this year.
Polach says: “Not only do tradespeople need to save time and money in their search for supplies, but in the hyper-competitive materials-supply trade, builders’ merchants need innovative ways to attract current and potential customers to their stores. Buildiro delivers just that. When merchants post their inventories to Buildiro, they are not only helping tradespeople source supplies faster, more cost-effectively and in a more environmentally-friendly way, they are also opening themselves up to new sales opportunities.”
Buildiro was trialled by merchants including Bradfords Building Supplies, JMD Building and DIY Supplies and Lakedale Power Tools. Commenting on the app, Lee Church of JMD Building & DIY Supplies, a family-run supplier in Hailsham said “I’ve been in the industry 20 years, and Buildiro is something that I knew the industry needed. “We won’t have people turning up wanting things and then being disappointed if we don’t have them. Because stock availability is already in the app, tradespeople know what we have and what they are coming in to collect.”
Tradespeople reviews have been positive with comments including: “Buildiro is the best app to find all the details on required tools and best pricing”; “Definitely on to a winner with this app. As this app grows it will become a vital tool for trades of all kinds”; “Amazing app as I work in a lot of different places and it’s very handy to help me find everything I need.”
Buildiro’s merchant-focused features include:
- Better data sharing. When a tradesperson searches for materials within the Buildiro app, the algorithm records the product, location and time, so that data can be shared with participating merchants. Merchants can then analyse customers’ buying habits and need for materials, and so better serve their customers in the future through more targeted stocking and marketing.
- A click-and-collect payment option gives customers the ability to purchase over 500,000 products 24/7, even when the merchants’ trade counter is closed, helping merchants fulfil orders faster and more efficiently.
- E-invoicing. Buildiro can be configured to generate a PDF sales receipt, which can be linked to any accounting software for ease of processing. This feature saves merchants’ time and helps their customers to seamlessly comply with the UK’s Making Tax Digital scheme.
- Buildiro also runs an incentive program for participating merchants. Every merchant that joins Buildiro (free to join) will receive a waiver on the first 100 Buildiro sales they process. After this period, Buildiro will collect a small percentage of every sale to fund development of the app.
Buildiro will be available from the Google Play and Apple app stores from 30 September and is currently expanding its list of merchants. On 10th October it will be hosting a launch event at Impact Hub King’s Cross for tradespeople and merchants. See more details here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/app-launch-party-buildiro-20-find-building-materials-fast-tickets-73561593707?ref=eios
