IBA Update
“We started off as strangers, became associates, became friends… friendship and then the trust.” - Les Jones of independent wholesaler Mr Ohms, the IBA Buying Group Ltd’s fi rst chairman.
With a script to hand but plenty of free speech encouraged, the early IBA journey was told by the people who have travelled its road. “We had our eyes on better buying power,” said David Whalley of Traff ord Electrical and IBA past chairman. “Making the journey as a group was the strength we had. Members took care of each other, and if somebody had a problem, some other member would know the answer. That was just marvellous to be in.”
“We started realising there were more of us out there than we thought there were,” added Les Jones.“People who were independent, looking for some guidance, swapping ideas, and being collectively stronger.”
Current IBA chairman, Russ Gratton of Recon, concurred. “Open honest communication follows all the way through… and it is such a powerful thing when everybody gets together.”
“The more you got involved in the group, the more you got back. It’s a classic saying, but you did,” explained Dave Huggin of EDS, an IBA member since 1998 and a past chairman. “The next step is working with the suppliers and how important it is. If you support Preferred Suppliers, the rewards are there.”
Simon Booth of ETC has held many IBA Offi cer roles since joining in 1996. He commented: “When we fi rst joined the IBA, the diff erence was so clear. It opened your eyes to what the market was actually doing and that sense of market awareness was huge. If you had a business advisor and they came into your business, how much could they charge you to try and improve your business? Well, by joining the IBA you are doing exactly the same thing.” Titled ‘The IBA at 30: Belonging’, the fi lm premiered on 20 May 2023 at the IBA’s 30th
glittering anniversary dinner held at the Marriott by Delta in Worsley. The star cast was in place to watch the fi lm for the fi rst time themselves. It was a very special moment, with many smiles, laughs and a few tears as the room reminisced along with them. To quote mind-reader and mentalist Robert Fox, the entertainment for the night, “The fi lm you made was one of the most innovative and enjoyable things I’ve seen a company do for a corporate dinner.” High praise indeed!
The IBA remains a family at the heart, with many member companies now seeing multiple generations at work together. Network support built at multi-generational levels over the last 30 years is as strong and relevant now as ever. It may not always be easy releasing control to a son or daughter, but Robbie Williams of Acorn Electrical (IBA past treasurer) summed it up on camera. “The bottom line is I look at the fi gures, I look at the profi t, and it gets easier, it’s as simple as that. It’s just a progression. It’s nice to see the legacy carrying on.”
“Great memories to make you smile, and there have been plenty of them already this year,” concluded Pam Hardman, IBA operations manager, who has spent 20 years with the group. “Old memories sustain us, but making fresh, amazing memories as we continue to do as a membership, are vital too. We thoroughly enjoyed our 30th
anniversary celebrations,
coming so closely on the back of our Christmas Conference in Cardiff and March trade show. We look forward to creating many more such occasions and are now working on our Golf Tournament in June. We raise a toast to the IBA, its committed membership, valued committees, past, present and future and supporting suppliers. We appreciate you.”
ewnews.co.uk July 2023 electrical wholesaler | 21
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