2023 sees a further strengthening of support from SIG Distribution to individual merchant outlets, with the business stating it is getting “extra boots on the ground.”
SIG says that a new, expanded team of regional account managers will be on hand to “support outlets with local knowledge and regular, face-to-face contact.” This team is growing to service the demand that has resulted from the work done by the national account managers whose job is to liaise with the buying groups nationwide.
The building of both teams simultaneously is said to demonstrate the commitment from SIG to working directly with this “essential customer group.”
Steve Davies (pictured), Divisional Sales Director for the North of England, summarised the rationale behind this development by stating: “Even in an increasingly digital world you need to be in front of your customer – you need to walk round their yards.”
And Steve would know, modelling this new team on his own experience of working on the merchant side. He added: “I have spent a significant part of my career working in the merchant sector. When a customer wanted something that we didn’t have on the shelf, our SIG account manager was always on hand to offer a solution.”
SIG believes that the day-to-day relationship, backed up by not only “the vast product range but also the specialist expertise of the full SIG operation” is a compelling offer for the merchant. Said Steve: “Our merchant customers can call on a wealth of expertise across the organisation to provide comprehensive support for their customers – whatever the complexity of the project they are working on.”
This customer facing team is nationwide – headed by Steve Davies in the North of England and Leighton Davies Sales Director, South. SIG says that as with every division of its emerging re-organisation, the merchant team is filled with people with years of sector experience. Additionally, SIG today says it is focused on providing expertise – whether that is in “advising on changing regulations, finding specialist products or knowing what projects are important to individual merchant branches.”
