Facilities sat down with the Manager of Central Facility Services to discuss PDME/Fastenal's existence on campus and how the entire UH system can take advantage of the MRO supply chain services they provide to the University.

What is PDME/Fastenal and how did they come to be in the University?

PDME/Fastenal is a Tier One partnership that offers a supply chain strategic alliance for Corporations and Public Institutions located throughout the U.S. They have developed a program that accentuates the strengths of a nationally recognized Tier One MBE supplier while working hand in hand with a global leader in MRO, Industrial and Construction supplies. In this unique partnership PDME, as the “Vendor of Record”, manages the contractual relationship, customer service, account management, reporting, accounting and IT integration management.  Fastenal offers our clients its trade expertise, logistics support, recommendations for cost savings and vendor managed inventory programs.

 PDME partners with all of Fastenal’s 2,800 stocking locations/stores throughout the United States. This provides their clients with local inventory, local sales support, and 100% minority spend all at the same time. PDME/Fastenal work closely with over 600 Manufacturers so that they can provide a multitude of products to satisfy almost every requirement. With over 1,500,000 products at their disposal they can be the local source for Material Handling Storage and Packaging, Power Tools, Hand Tools, Safety Products, Abrasives, Plumbing Supplies, Electrical Items, Welding Supplies, Janitorial Products, HVAC, Requirements, Fasteners, Cutting Tools, Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Chemicals & Paints and Fleet & Automotive.

 Facilities Services is known for carrying out the majority of maintenance and repair operations on the university campus. Of the numerous maintenance and repair service requests made on a daily basis, a significant amount of them end up with a replacement part solution. In 2012, the Facilities department conducted and completed a review of its parts procurement process and found significant gaps and inefficiencies within its operations and process. In response to this, Facilities embarked on a search to find a qualified vendor to provide a comprehensive MRO SCS solution for the University and as a result of this search In 2013, PD Morrison Enterprises Inc., a Historically Under-Utilized Business and its supply chain services partner Fastenal were selected and contracted to manage the Maintenance Repair Operation Supply Chain Services operation for the University of Houston Facilities department.

 PDME/Fastenal was also recently awarded the new MRO SCS contract to provide these services for the University’s Facilities Construction/Management department and this new contract will extend all pricing to the University of Houston System.

What services does PDME/Fastenal provide to the University?

The Maintenance Repair Operations Supply Chain Services (MRO SCS) Program provides UH Facilities with the operational parts and equipment needed for maintenance and repairs on campus. It also significantly reduces the total cost of ownership within the University’s supply chain services by having PDME/Fastenal as the University's central maintenance parts and equipment supplier to affect repairs. This centralization significantly lowered the invoicing rates and voucher generation required during payment process.

Can administrative, finance and educational offices take advantage of PDME/Fastenal's services?

With the new MRO SCS contract in place PDME/Fastenal will be providing access to the on campus location as well as its online e-commerce website that will feature their competitive and guaranteed locked in pricing for about 5,730 items for the next three years of their contract with the university. As well as over 1,500,000 items with discounts ranging from 25% to 30% off wholesale cost. Facilities hereby encourages all the University of Houston systems to engage PDME/Fastenal in their operational needs that extend beyond the Facilities maintenance spectrum. 

Who can I contact regarding PDME/Fastenal?

For more information regarding the MRO SCS Program and the spectrum of maintenance repair operation equipment PDME/ Fastenal covers, email Rufus Kemp, the Manager of Central Facility Services. For PDME/Fastenal's UH Capabilities statement, click here.