The very first IBC Buying Group Exhibition and Gala Dinner took place on 29 September at the prestigious Silverstone Race Circuit in Northamptonshire, with the event hailed as a fantastic success.
IBC’s members and supplier partners from across the country gathered for the event, which was the first time the IBC family had united in such large numbers. Together, they celebrated independent builders’ merchants and their construction product suppliers, with around 500 people attending to engage and build relationships that benefit the entire merchant supply chain.
Many IBC suppliers went all out by designing inspiring stands for IBC members to explore, packed to the rafters with new products, best-selling ranges and everything independent merchants need to grow their business. All the suppliers who attended the Exhibition also brought with them exclusive product promotions, giveaways and some fantastic rebate opportunities, making it an incredibly worthwhile event for IBC’s members to visit.
Business growth was also the focus of attention for IBC Buying Group itself, which used the exhibition to further promote its ‘More than a Buying Group’ offering and introduce a brand-new range of business-critical services to its members. Unique to IBC Buying Group, these new IBC Services go further than products and offer members support with the running of their business, whether that’s day-to-day with marketing, fuel cards, fleet management, health and safety advice, and so much more.
IBC has partnered with leading third-party companies who are experts in supporting the construction sector, and who can help make it easier for merchants to run their business.
Also launched at the Exhibition was a brand-new Portal and Marketing Gateway for IBC members. The Portal puts all the information about a member’s work with IBC at their fingertips whenever they need it, including all rebate information, and full details of more than 150,000 products sold by IBC suppliers, with more being added all the time. The Portal also contains up-to-the-minute industry news and information on exclusive promotions, price changes and all IBC’s supplier agreements and contact details.
The Marketing Gateway allows members to create bespoke flyers, leaflets, POS, banners and brochures, all easily branded to their company and featuring their logos and prices. Members can create these documents online using readily available templates, then either download them for free as a pdf, or they can arrange printing through the gateway at very reasonable rates via a printer local to them.
Following the Exhibition, 375 members and suppliers joined IBC for a glittering Gala Dinner at the nearby Whittlebury Park Hotel. The evening celebrated the very best growth and successes enjoyed by IBC members and suppliers over the past year. Guests also enjoyed a highly entertaining speech by Stuart Pearce MBE, who regaled the audience with stories of his time as a professional footballer.
A number of Awards were given out to celebrate those members and suppliers who have worked hard to maximise the benefits of their relationships with IBC and its members. The winners were:
Best Self-Select Area (sponsored by Midland Lead): Simply DIY (Payless)
New Supplier of the Year (sponsored by Intact): Rowlinson Timber
Best Environmental Initiative (sponsored by Forktruck Solutions): Nicholls and Clarke
Best Landscaping Display (sponsored by Marshalls): Marsland Timber
Account Manager of the Year (sponsored by Toolbank): Iain Mackay, of SIG
Best Marketing Initiative (sponsored by Keystone Lintels) Euroken Supplies
Young Achiever of the Year (sponsored by Mannok): Harry Cadywould, of Frome Area Building Supplies
IBC Supplier of the Year (sponsored by Estimators Ltd): Mannok
IBC Member of the Year (sponsored by Forterra PLC): Matsons.
After the Awards were finished, guests went on to enjoy a night of dancing, networking and catching up with industry friends and colleagues.
Joint Managing Directors Dave Robertson and Paul Read said: “We were delighted by the response to our very first IBC Exhibition and Gala Dinner – our suppliers really embraced the concept and designed some fantastic stands. Our members were able to use the day to really engage with us and our suppliers, and learn more about how we can further support their business.”
To find out more about the benefits IBC Buying Group can offer to independent merchants across the UK, visit www.ibcbuyinggroup.com.
The IBC Buying Group was established in 2008. It now has more than 212 merchant members and 200+ leading supplier partners, with a combined buying power in excess of £650 million. Some 12 full-time members of staff are on hand to support members and suppliers with all their business needs, sourcing the very best deals available in each market segment.
