Through its innovative app, Breeze: Procure with Ease, the company helps global facilities management (FM) clients streamline purchasing, reduce carbon emissions, and connect with sustainable local suppliers. Express Merchants operates the largest verified Green Supplier Network in the region and is committed to embedding efficiency, transparency, and sustainability into every transaction.

What Express Merchants did

In 2024, Express Merchants launched Breeze, a transformative digital platform designed to revolutionise tail spend procurement. Led by Managing Director Tim Jameson, the initiative aimed to address inefficiencies and environmental impacts in low-value, high-volume purchasing.

Key actions included:

• Platform Development: With Invest NI funding, Breeze was developed over 18 months, incorporating spend controls, supplier dashboards, and sustainability tracking
• Green Supplier Network: Over 500 suppliers were onboarded, with sustainability profiles verified through the Green Breeze programme
• Pilot and Launch: Breeze was piloted with two national clients in late 2024 and officially launched in March 2025
• Stakeholder Engagement: Continuous feedback from clients, engineers, and suppliers shaped platform features and ensured alignment with ESG goals
• Sustainability Integration: Suppliers were encouraged to adopt greener practices, supported by resources like the Supply Chain Sustainability School Ireland
• Governance and Reporting: Breeze offers real-time spend visibility, enabling clients to track purchases by category, supplier, and sustainability status

The platform empowers clients to source locally, reduce travel, and make informed, responsible purchasing decisions—while helping suppliers grow through sustainability.

Key Impacts and Outcomes

• 500+ suppliers onboarded, covering 7,500 locations across the UK and Ireland
• 70% of client purchases made through Green Breeze-accredited suppliers (exceeding 60% Year 1 target)
• 100% client retention rate
• Multiple award recognitions, including:
  • Winner: CBRE GWS Innovation Award
  • Finalist: MITIE Innovation Awards 2025
  • Shortlisted: Business Eye Sustainability Awards & Irish News Workplace Awards
• 72% of users saved 4+ hours per week by sourcing through Breeze
• Estimated 219 tonnes of CO₂ emissions prevented annually per 100 engineers
• Procurement processing time reduced by 30%
• Full transparency over tail spend via advanced reporting tools
• Local suppliers gain access to contracts with multinational FM companies
• Green Breeze programme incentivises and rewards sustainable supplier practices
• Cultural shift toward responsible sourcing embedded in daily operations
• Sustainability toolkits promoted within the platform to support supplier development

What the Judges said:

“Express Merchants demonstrated true entrepreneurial spirit by identifying a pressing challenge and taking proactive steps to address it, driving economic regeneration for smaller businesses whilst empowering clients to make more sustainable, environmentally-conscious decisions.”

Highly commended in the Responsible Technology Innovation Award category: Technidrive Ltd