talking trade: MHK


‘We are very excited about entering the UK market’


S


Late October saw journalists visit the Frankfurt headquarters of kitchen buying group MHK, to hear more about the company’s services and plans for expansion MHK’s Central Payment System


ince its introduction to the UK market in early 2018, German kitchen buying group MHK has


been steadily growing the number of independent kitchen retailers signing up as members. The company is well established on the continent, operating as a buying group for independent kitchen, bathroom and bedroom retailers. Recent developments include the opening of its new €5.5 million headquarters in Frankfurt and its continued expansion into more European countries, with seven now in place and an eighth being targeted. The scale is significant, with the 2,766 trading partners of MHK contributing to its annual turnover of €5.5 billion. The company says that its arrival in the UK brings a community that empowers owner-


managed retailers with ‘first class purchase prices and innovative services’. While buying groups are common among


electrical retailers, the picture is not the same for UK kitchen retailers, with MHK citing figures that 80% of independent kitchen retailers are not members of an organised buying group. MHK Group therefore sees enormous


potential in the UK kitchen market, the third largest in Europe, and seeks to offer UK members exactly what it offers in Europe: its business connections and contracts with kitchen suppliers, best purchase prices for its members, first class services in marketing and communication plus a central payment system – the latter of which MHK says has never before been offered in the UK by a kitchen buying group.


streamlines the payments process for both retail and supplier members, minimising credit risks for suppliers in the process. Lower risk means lower prices for MHK members, the company adds. MHK-expansion managing director Marcel


Crezee comments: “We are confident no other buying group can offer the purchase price and conditions offered by MHK. Thanks to the collective strength and purchasing power of more than 2,700 members, our members will have access to the best possible prices. The first UK kitchen dealers started working with us from January 1 2018 and our goal is to strengthen the performance of specialist shops and to increase their return on investment.”


‘We felt MHK understood us’ In addition to improved purchasing conditions, the MHK Group prides itself on its service offering to support its members, including marketing, digital support (for example, help with SEO or retailer website development), business management and kitchen specialist planning software from CARAT. These services ensure that owner-managed specialist dealers have a competitive edge in the market and can operate successfully at a sustainable, above- average level, Marcel adds. Among the first of the retailers to join up


to MHK in the UK are Bryan and Caroline Newton of Hadley Kitchens in Leamington Spa. They explained: “We joined MHK because of the great support we have received and to give us access to a much broader range of suppliers with great buying terms.” For Elmore Kitchens in Bath, MHK’s business expertise was key. Ben and Vicky Elmore said: “We felt MHK understood us and what our business was trying to achieve, and could help us realise that goal.” MHK’s stated aim is to become the buying


MHK has invested significantly in its headquarters in Frankfurt, setting the business up for the future by bringing its staff and services onto one site


48 | www.innovativeelectricalretailing.co.uk


group with the best independent kitchen retailers as members – members that fit into its business strategy, that have the same values as MHK Group and the same goals: to offer high quality products and services for their customers.


December 2018 / January 2019


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