Bolton-based AO announces partnership with ESPO, a public sector-owned professional buying organisation.

The relationship means that the public sector customers supplied by ESPO will be fulfilled directly by AO, by means of its 'market-leading supply and installation'.

AO will provide a core range of products including fridge-freezers, washing machines, and ovens to education establishments and other public sector customers through ESPO’s white goods framework.

With quick turnaround times needed for the comfort and security of its service users, AO says it can offer a unique proposition of next day delivery, installation, and recycling to all ESPO customers.

The company says AO's modern Waste Electrical and Environmental Equipment recycling facility in Telford means that customers can be confident in the knowledge that AO offers full traceability through waste consignment notes for all waste electrical collections, as part of their duty of care.

AO has now recycled five million appliances through its Collect & Recycle service since opening the recycling plant in 2017, where both customers and the public can book to have their appliances taken away to be responsibly disposed of. 

The partnership also sees AO listed as an exclusive supplier of air purifiers to the education sector, ensuring that many schools can remain safely open throughout the Covid pandemic, and reducing the need to leave windows open.

With over 1.5 million square feet of warehousing space and a logistics network across the UK, AO can minimise supply chain disruption by holding over three months’ worth of stock at any time, meaning the right products are always available for a quick delivery across key areas of the public sector. 

Anthony Sant, MD of AO Business, said: “We’re thrilled to become an approved supplier of ESPO and we hope to deliver market-leading appliance supply and installation to its members.

"With over 20 years’ experience as an electricals retailer and strong relationships with global manufacturers, AO Business is able to offer customers of ESPO a unique and competitive proposition.”

ESPO’s Chief Officer, Kristian Smith, said: "This is another fantastic partnership that broadens our range, aligning with a well-known brand who are as dedicated to exceptional customer service as we are at ESPO.

"Providing an easy and fully compliant public procurement route to the latest white goods and electricals for our public sector customers ensures we remain focused on providing the very best choice, price and quality across our ever-increasing range."