Focus on Distributors


Are we firing on all cylinders? A


t last the promising signs of last year appear to be becoming a


reality in 2014. Not that business is yet back to the pre-crunch levels but there is a definite upturn which does feel sustainable. So is the bathroom distribution business


Comment by Kim Kirby-Earnshaw Operations Director, Ideal Bathrooms


ready to meet the demand? We are probably all leaner than we were five to six years ago – but are we also fitter?. Some may have gone too far in their cut backs. The distributors’ customers will certainly know who is really meeting their needs and who is playing catch up because they have perhaps been a little slow to acknowledge the upturn. In these still fragile conditions, the


distributor has to be offering better service than ever to the customer to help them benefit from improved trading. They must have a full stockholding across


the range of brands they supply. They must offer reliable next day deliveries – in full and


on time to all corners of their distribution areas. Manufacturers need good distributors,


distributors need good manufacturers and good customers, and retailers need good distributors. Working together is the key to successful business growth and we have all waited long enough for the opportunity, so let’s make sure we make it happen.


u For more information, please call 0800 634 2600 or visit www.idealbathrooms.com


AUGUST Weekend Break


SEPTEMBER Tag Heuer watches


Ideal Bathrooms – Fleet complete


Always A Winner with Ideal Bathrooms


The two latest monthly prize winners in the Ideal Bathrooms’ year-long ‘An Ideal World’ promotion are Brian Callow of Cu Plas Callow and Tiffany Clark of Stevenage Plumbing and Heating Supplies. Brian wins the March prize of


£1,500 worth of Thomson holiday vouchers, sponsored by Showerlux and Essential and Tiffany wins a Nikon SLR camera kit courtesy of Shades Bathrooms. Cu Plas Callow is the only


independent builders merchant in the Isle of Man and was formed some 15- years ago by a team who worked with another merchant prior to its takeover by a UK National. Brian’s company has an excellent reputation on the island. Stevenage Plumbing and Heating


Supplies is also an independent business with single premises. Established 25-years ago, the company employs 13 staff with four in


20 BKU AUGUST 2014


the showroom, which accounts for the majority of the company business. The August prize is a luxury 5*


London weekend break courtesy of Mira and September's prize is his and hers Tag Heuer watches courtesy of Showerwall, AquaStep, ProClick and Basix. Every month throughout 2014


there will be a lucky winner of a highly desirable prize in the “An Ideal World” promotion. For every order placed for products from the month’s featured supplier during their month, the company placing the order is automatically entered into the prize draw for that month. There is no limit on the number of times a company can enter so the more orders placed, the better the chance of winning.


u0800 634 2600 uwww.anidealworld.info


Ideal Bathrooms has completed Phase III of its fleet renewal programme with the acquisition of 10 vehicles. The rolling three-year schedule involves replacing vehicles in rotation to ensure all operate efficiently. A key factor is to minimise the environmental impact, carefully balancing the 50 vehicles with a mix of Sprinter vans, Lutons and 7.5 tonne vehicles to ensure optimum versatility in operation. All feature eco- stop/start technology for fuel economy and reduced carbon emissions.


In this final phase of the


current programme there are six Lutons and four Sprinters with five vehicles for Hayes, one each for Milton Keynes and Wakefield and three for Glasgow distribution centres. “We now begin planning the


next schedule,” says Operations Director Kim Kirby-Earnshaw. “It is so important to ensure our fleet is up to date for economy and reliability. Our customers depend on us to deliver next day and this means making sure that our transport is always in top order.”


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