Over the last year, National Buying Group (NBG) welcomed multiple companies to its growing community of independent merchants and is hailing their early successes.
NBG was joined by Habco Building Supplies in late 2020, followed by Sovini Trade Supplies (STS), Buildland and Towy Works in early 2021, and Bridgport Building Supplies in April of this year. The new partners report that they are already benefitting from NBG’s supply chain network.
For instance, Alan Evans, Regional Operations Manager at North West-based STS, said: “We have not only benefitted from the commercial gains you would expect from a Buying Group, but in the current climate of unprecedented supply issues and price increases we have really felt NBG working on our behalf to minimise the impacts. The whole NBG team have been open and welcoming, and the joining process was very smooth with assistance always at hand.”
Satty Jutla-Kalsi, Director at Family-owned Buildland, commented: “Since joining in February 2021, NBG and the team have been very supportive during this very difficult year. Despite the pandemic restrictions, we were still able to continue productive business meetings via zoom and telephone. We found NGB very professional and one of the best Buying Groups, their offers and competitive prices from Suppliers have helped us greatly.”
Malcom Griffiths, Manager at Carmarthen-based specialist merchant Towy Works, added: “Since joining NBG back in March 2021, they have been very true to their word and commitment to our business. NBG have supported us greatly through these very trying times of which we are very grateful.”
Supporting IBMG expansion
The NBG team has also supported the expansion of Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG), now said to be the largest independent merchant group in the South East of England. IBMG MD Allun Pittingale said: “Being a member of NBG through a hugely challenging period of COVID – navigating poor product availability (often controlled through allocation) and spiralling Supplier costs – has enabled us to come together as a collective to secure supply, buffer some price changes and has helped us to maintain the exemplary service our customers expect.
“Product allocation management has been helped by being on various CMTs but together we could improve here. Rebate calculation, collection and allocation is first rate. We appreciate the support NBG has given us by accepting and welcoming new members brought about by our acquisition activity. NBG has many benefits and, with support from its broad membership, can continue to improve together.”
Total Plumbing, RGB Building Supplies, 3Counties Timber and Building Supplies Online, Buildit Gloster and CRS Building Supplies were recently welcomed to NBG as associates of Grant & Stone, now also part of the IBMG family.
Peter Cudd, Group Managing Director at Grant & Stone, said: “Grant and Stone group is committed to the members of NBG, and we are integrating these fabulous new businesses into the group. Since joining NBG, the supply market has been slower due to stock availability, and we continue to work closely with Partners to resolve issues together.”
Managing Director at NBG, Nick Oates, said: “We are so proud that despite the challenges of the last year, NBG is continuing to grow and celebrate the successes of all our Partners and associates. One of the best things about NBG is the community spirit, which we saw throughout 2020 and have seen continue this year. To see our community get even bigger and closely support each other through challenging times truly reflects what being part of NBG is all about – with Partners and Suppliers continuing to benefit from centralised and ongoing support.”
For more information, visit www.nationalbuyinggroup.com
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