BSW Timber:
BSW Timber has launched a new premium merchant membership scheme to offer an extra level of partnership and support for stockists.
Launched in August, the Crown Distributor Scheme offers the most dedicated and forward-thinking BSW Timber stockists across the country an “unparalleled timber support package”.
It covers key business areas — sales and marketing, service and innovation, finance, training, and presentation — and a wide range of timber products, including BSW’s IRO and Alchemy brands.
As well as assisting with the growth of both traditional and added value timber sales, the initiative also offers the selected stockists a variety of premium benefits including:
- enhanced security of volume and supply;
- dedicated one-to-one timber marketing support;
- exclusive staff training and development programmes;
- increased visibility on all BSW web and social channels;
- priority access to new BSW products;
- access to an exclusive suite of branded workwear, point of sale, shop fitting options and vehicle fleet accessories.
Sales and Marketing Director Dave Chapman said: “We’re aiming to create the gold standard for timber merchanting and to reward the delivery of timber excellence within the industry. Our aim is that by working together, we can ensure that our Crown members really stand out from the crowd.”
Beers Timber, LBS, WH Bond, Barkers Fencing, SW Yorke, Main Line Timber, WJ Odds and Fountain Timber were appointed as Crown Distributors ahead of the scheme launching. Paul Conboy, Director at Beers, said: “This agreement strengthens our already close working relationship with BSW. What was appealing is that there is a commitment to provide specific training for staff which will help their future development. We are sure that this arrangement will be of massive benefit to both of us.”
For more details on the Crown Distributor Scheme from BSW Timber, go to: https://www.bsw.co.uk/crown-distributor-scheme
Lakes:
Lakes has launched an online platform to give its trade and end user customers a personalised showroom experience without leaving the comfort and safety of their own homes as the impact of the coronavirus continues to be felt.
The pioneering selling tool allows Lakes’ showering space products to be viewed and ‘favourited’ so merchant sales and showroom staff can turn them into orders. Accessed through stockists’ own websites, visitors can download joint-branded brochures and ask questions directly to the stockists’ staff via chat and email.
Graham recently became the first merchant to go live with the online showroom on both its trade and consumer websites. Ian Kenny, the merchant’s Marketing Director, said: “In an industry where real innovation can be hard to come by, the Lakes online showroom is a genuinely different proposition, and we’re extremely proud to be the first to adopt it. It’s more than just a campaign or a gimmick for us; it’s a whole new way of working.”
As well as driving product awareness and engagement, the virtual showroom collects data which can be shared with merchants and stockists to help them close more sales and upsell complementary products such as taps, showers, grab rails and shower seats.
To see Lakes’ online platform in action via the Graham website, visit https://showroom.lakes.me.uk/
