This July marked exactly one year since the Timber Buying Group – the UK’s first category-focused purchasing initiative for timber, panel and sheet material and manufactured second fix – came into existence. And what a first year it’s been.
Trading with the group’s suppliers commenced in October 2014, and in just 10 months, the TBG has gained no fewer than 21 active merchant members — quite an achievement for a specialist group.
According to TBG’s Allan Durning, the reason is simple: “We’ve taken an innovative approach from the start, so we can offer small and medium-sized timber merchants the sort of advantages usually reserved for bigger organisations. That means a unique opportunity to benefit from specially-negotiated deals on their timber and associated materials.”
As TBG does all the negotiating on behalf of its merchant members, they’re able to focus on building their own business, knowing they’ll be getting one of the best deals available. Suppliers benefit too, as the merchants TBG represents provide a significant amount of added revenue.
After such a momentous first year, the Timber Buying Group held a special celebration too. On July 23rd, TBG’s team, merchant members and suppliers met for the group’s third ‘gathering’ in Manchester. “We were really pleased to have everyone together for our first birthday” said Allan Durning. “We believe our business should be not only about price, but about building relationships too. These gatherings are an ideal way to do just that.”
