Case Study

ACLAD UK, a small but ambitious roofing and cladding contractor based in Brigg, North Lincolnshire, was facing a challenge common in the construction sector—lagging behind in digitalisation.

Michelle Gregory, ACLAD’s Office Manager, had spent years experimenting with off-the-shelf solutions and Microsoft 365 features, attempting to streamline operations. However, the transition was slow due to limited financial resources, time constraints, and uncertainty about best practices.

“We tried setting up a SharePoint site ourselves, but without a clear structure and the time to manage it properly, it didn’t get off the ground,” Michelle explained. “We were sharing files through my personal OneDrive, which meant I was the single point of accountability for everything.”

This inefficiency led to delays, wasted time searching for files, and security risks.

The Solution: A Tailored IT Overhaul with HBP

ACLAD secured funding assistance through a council grant and engaged The HBP Group to optimise its IT infrastructure. Initially, the company considered upgrading from Sage 50 to a more advanced system, but after discussions with HBP, they identified a more urgent need: a centralised digital workspace.

The HBP team worked closely with Michelle to implement a SharePoint-based document management system alongside Microsoft Teams for collaboration and additional security measures. The solution delivered:

✅ A Single Source of Truth: A central SharePoint repository replaced the fragmented OneDrive system, ensuring all team members had instant access to the latest project files.

✅ Enhanced Collaboration: Teams could now communicate and share updates via Microsoft Teams, reducing reliance on email and WhatsApp for job-critical information.

✅ Increased Efficiency: The move to SharePoint and Teams streamlined workflows, reducing unnecessary duplication and manual admin work.

The Impact: Tangible Time Savings & Efficiency Gains

The transition required a cultural shift, as ACLAD’s team adjusted to digital-first working methods. While adoption is still ongoing, the results so far have been significant:

📉 Time Savings:

• Employees previously spent 5-10 minutes per document searching through deep folder structures. Now, files are instantly accessible, reducing wasted time by up to 80%.
• Michelle estimates she has saved at least 4-5 hours per week that was previously spent managing access and retrieving files.
  
  

📊 Improved Productivity:

• The shift from paper-based processes to digital tools has cut admin time by 30%, allowing the team to focus on higher-value tasks.
• Onboarding new staff is now 40% faster, as they can immediately access essential company resources and workflows.
  
  

📱 Better On-Site Operations:

• The introduction of tablets for site workers is expected to improve real-time reporting and reduce delays in communication by 50%.
• Teams can now submit documents digitally instead of relying on physical paperwork, speeding up approvals and reducing errors.

Looking Ahead: Future Growth & Competitive Advantage

ACLAD UK is now positioned for growth, with plans to expand the team by at least one full-time role in the near future. More importantly, the company is future-proofing its operations by ensuring it can scale efficiently without adding unnecessary overheads.

“The construction industry is unpredictable, and efficiency is everything,” Michelle said. “Our goal is to ensure we’re keeping pace with larger competitors while maintaining our agility as a smaller company.”

By partnering with The HBP Group, ACLAD UK has not only caught up with industry standards but is now ahead of many competitors in terms of digital efficiency.