The partnership between merchant buying group H&B and plastics supplier Brett Martin has been in formation since the group was set up more than 20 years ago.
That support has now reportedly been extended to H&B’s Development Group, a new opportunity for small to medium-sized independent merchant businesses to take advantage of H&B’s buying deals and business support.
The H&B Development Group has been set up to offer smaller merchants a pathway to membership of the main H&B buying group and all the benefits that it offers.
Based in Northern Ireland, Brett Martin was established in 1958 and is now described as a global player, manufacturing and supplying specialist plastic products for the construction industry.
The company supplies a range of underground, rainwater and plumbing products to H&B and has built relationships with some of the most successful independent merchants.
Key to Brett Martin’s success with H&B is said to be the strong personal relationships it has built with its members: confirming the oft-repeated merchanting adage “people buy from people”.
This was recently cemented with a visit to Brett Martin’s facilities in County Antrim by seven members of the H&B Development Group. The group was shown the scale and breadth of Brett Martin’s manufacturing and distribution capabilities, learned about the company’s product and service innovations, as well as being treated to some warm Northern Irish hospitality.
Robert Callahan, H&B Developments Group Member, Spey Valley, commented: “Sometimes the important aspects of a product and its producer need to be seen to be fully appreciated. This proved to be the case in our recent visit to Brett Martin. We were immediately made aware how important it was to see their management team in action, demonstrating their belief in the products. From the design process, to manufacture and the detailed explanation of the subtle details that make the products superior, it was evident how much effort goes in. We enjoyed a warm reception and great hospitality that was much appreciated.”
Part of the visit focused on the marketing and sales support that Brett Martin can offer H&B merchants to help improve sales. This includes traditional literature and point of sale materials right through to tailored marketing programmes designed to drive business and increase sales.
Brett Martin also presented its visitors with the newly launched support package for Cascade, its cast iron finish PVC rainwater system.
Cascade is said to look like the real thing, keeps its finish no matter what the conditions, and offers merchants the chance to make enhanced margins by selling up to an added value product range.
Brett Martin has put together a comprehensive package of support for merchants who take the Cascade range, including POS that is backed in-store with literature, POS plus adverts and on-line media promotions.
