2022 was a difficult year, in what was an extremely challenging trading environment caused by a perfect storm of high inflation, war, political instability and rising interest rates. NMBS CEO Chris Hayward reflects on the experiences of the last 12 months and considers how this lays the foundations for progress in 2023.
The construction industry still faces many of the same challenges in 2023, especially relating to increasing material and energy costs, and the resultant recessionary pressure that follows. For example, analysis of the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) General Building Cost Index indicates a rise of 10.2% in material costs in September 2022 compared to the same period a year ago.
Despite this uncertain background, turnover positively increased by 3.5% to £2.25 billion for NMBS in 2022. NMBS’ CEO Chris Hayward is keen to emphasise the positive opportunities that exist for members and suppliers and reiterate the unrelenting support that NMBS will continue to offer in 2023.
Chris said: “The team at NMBS performed extremely well and we achieved some significant standout successes for 2022. This included the successful implementation of a new ERP system, which beat our target of 50 new members during the year.”
One Place
2022 saw the growth of NMBS’ online ordering and product information platform OnePlace, which now features more than 300 suppliers, and in excess of 700,000 products. This platform is now also supporting the digitalised Buyers Guide, which provides independent merchants up-to-the-minute supplier details, product information and terms.
Chris added: “The digitalised Buyers Guide will support the development of our net zero targets because we will stop producing the printed version. This change will save four million sheets of paper annually and support our merchants and suppliers with their own net zero targets by helping to reduce waste.”
Events
NMBS held its 2022 conference in Sorrento over the summer. As well as being an enjoyable social event, it was a wonderful opportunity to pause and look forward to some of the issues, challenges, and opportunities on the horizon. The event had a big focus on the digitisation of the industry and the benefits it can bring for merchants and suppliers.
In October, 1,050 of our suppliers and members joined us at the annual NMBS Dinner Dance, for the first time since the pandemic. The event was a tremendous success, and its attendees raised a huge £10,000 for the Charity “CRASH”, which supports the homeless and hospice organisations with building projects.
What will 2023 bring?
NMBS is planning on celebrating this year and Chris explains why. He said: “NMBS is celebrating its 60th anniversary and to mark this, we are prioritising our environmental and social impact by focusing on the development of our ESG Strategy, which we plan to communicate fully to our members and suppliers in the first half of the year, along with a new initiative to support apprenticeships in the industry”.
2023 will see the NMBS Exhibition on 19-20 April at the Coventry Building Society Arena, where attendees can meet more than 280 manufacturers and distributors.
Click the link to find out about the events that NMBS has planned for 2023.
