comment DAVID HIBBERT Joint Managing Director of Stax Trade Centres in Manchester On the board
Most rewarding aspect of your job? Knowing that we are providing a source of income - not only for such a large number of employees but their families as well - is a big responsibility.
What's your background? In 1981 Maccess opened Stax cash and carry wholesaler in Manchester and I joined, helping to set up the fledgling operation. I was responsible for the stock control and replenishment of the branch. I then joined International DIY [an 18-strong
retail chain which eventually became part of Focus DIY] as senior buyer responsible for DIY, tools and hardware. A year later I moved back to Stax, as range co-ordinator based in Leeds. In early1985 I moved back to the Manchester
branch, to look after buying and marketing there alongside the manager Eddie Brady. In September 1986, the two of us successfully completed a management buy-out from Maccess - and I’ve had the same job title of joint managing director ever since.
Tell us a bit about Stax Trade Centres. Stax is a multi-channel wholesaler. We operate out of six depots in Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and employ over 600 people - many of whom have been with us for most of their working lives. Our range covers housewares; diy; tools and
ironmongery; gardening and seasonal products; kitchens and bathrooms; and electrical accessories and appliances. Turnover at wholesale prices is forecast this year to reach £125 million and we carry £20 million in stock.
What’s your working week like? Non-stop really. I start relatively late to avoid the traffic and work on emails at home before setting out. I usually finish around 7pm and very rarely work at weekends - except for reading the 20 reps’ reports that come in.
What’s keeping you busy? With 600 staff, 50,000 customers and 750 suppliers, it’s not difficult to find something to do.
What’s on your agenda? Managing the changing work environment is right up there. GDPR, Brexit, online trading, the rise of the discounters, customer recruitment and retention… they’re all on the agenda.
March/April 2018
Most challenging aspect of your job? Providing our customers with what they are looking for and making money out of it at the same time.
What do you do to relax? I’m a season ticket holder at Manchester United, a weekly snooker player (or should that be ‘weakly’) and enjoy eating out with friends and family.
What’s the biggest opportunity facing housewares retailers? All retailers need to embrace the threat from online trading and adapt their offer to encourage customers to their shops.
And the biggest threat? Footfall is the greatest threat I see. All avenues of communicating with consumers must be explored and developed. If retailers don’t keep evolving, then they will not survive.
What’s the biggest opportunity facing housewares suppliers? The development of discounters and online retailers has created opportunities for suppliers - but they need to be clear on their strategy and not allow brands to be devalued and channels of distribution to be blocked off.
What’s the biggest change you’ve seen since you joined the housewares industry? The number of wholesalers out there has declined at an enormous rate. Although the temptation to deliver direct to retailers is clear, once the wholesaler has gone, it will be difficult to replace.
What one change would you like to see in the housewares industry? A fair and level playing field for bricks-and- mortar retailers to allow them to compete with online retailers who don’t have the same legislative taxes to bear.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the housewares industry? Whatever you do, watch the cash!
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HousewaresLive.net
A big thank you from the Rainy Day Trust
The Rainy Day Trust (RDT) presented its inaugural Philanthropist Award to David Hibbert and his staff at The Housewares Innovation Awards 2018 (see page 19). David was “shocked, stunned and a little
amazed” when he learned the news. “Whilst I was a little embarrassed personally, I felt pleased that the award recognised the work of all staff at Stax,” he said. Stax Trade Centres is a long-term supporter
of RDT, which is the only the UK's only charity supporting the home improvement and home enhancement workforce and their families in times of need. Each branch raises funds all year round
through raffles and other events, and has collection tins for customer donations. David is a past president and chairman of
the charity and personally organises the an- nual Rainy Day Trust Karting Challenge which, he said, “always proves a great day out”. The 24th event takes place on Sunday June 10 at Teamsport in Warrington. RDT ceo Bryan Clover commented: “This
year RDT is 175 years old, and we felt that this momentous anniversary gave us the opportunity to recognise individuals and businesses that have supported the charity above and beyond the norm. “So we were delighted to give the
Philanthropist Award to David Hibbert in recognition of Stax Trade Centres’ amazing support over many years. “It isn't just David that supports RDT but
the whole company, at every level. The spirit of philanthropy is embedded in the culture of the business. And it’s that heartfelt desire to give, happening at every level, that made Stax Trade Centres stand out from the crowd.”
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