www.ibcbuyinggroup.com
MERCHANT FOCUS: GRAHAM PLUMBERS’ MERCHANT
IBC FOCUS: IBC Services IBC SERVES UP BUSINESS-CRITICAL SOLUTIONS
As a further step in IBC Buying Group’s determination to be more than a buying group, IBC has expanded its member offer to go further than simply offering great deals and competitive prices from leading supplier partners.
T
he IBC Services Division has brought together a diverse selection of business-critical support solutions, partnering with carefully chosen service providers to give IBC members access to cost-effective and long-lasting support and guidance. IBC is the first buying group of its kind to launch this type of service offer, using the team’s many years of experience within merchanting to understand exactly what independent merchants need and how to help make sure they succeed.
Commercial director, Paul Read, said: “We launched IBC Services, working closely with premier supplier partners who can quickly supply everything an independent merchant needs.
Business telecommunications Vector is a specialist in smart working solutions, facilitating home, office, multi-location and hybrid working solutions for businesses of all sizes. The company provides IBC Buying Group members with expert advice on the most cost- effective telecommunications on the market, working closely with companies such as EE, O2 and Vodafone, as well as internet providers. IBC Buying Group members enjoy exclusive, wholesale prices on business mobile phones, SIM- only deals, VOIP systems and broadband, as well as a wide range of other services encompassing business mobile, landline, and energy services.
www.vectorcommunications.co.uk
Card payment solutions Worldpay offers card payment solutions to help businesses of all sizes make, take and manage payments online, in store and on mobile. Worldpay has dedicated account managers for all IBC members, and offers a full payment review to help all merchants identify and tackle any existing hurdles, review their current card payment service and offers tips on how to improve their overall payment health. Services include: • 24/7 UK-based customer service • Online business dashboard for easy payment tracking and account management • A leading UK payment processor with more than 400,000 UK customers • Next-day settlement • Reduced rate package for all members
www.worldpay.com/en
22
“Standing still isn’t an option, and having access to this type of external support gives business owners more time that they can dedicate towards scaling up the growth of their business.”
Collectively, IBC’s Service Providers cover a wide range of business-critical services that can help independent merchants save time and money, giving them the space to focus on developing their business. These include: • IBC Brickfinder • Business software • Business telecommunications • Card payment solutions • Construction recruitment • Credit management and debt recovery • Fire and electrical safety testing
Credit management and debt recovery
Top Service supplies credit management solutions to the construction industry, helping businesses avoid problem payers and reduce bad debts. IBC members benefit from access to invaluable credit information and effective debt recovery services. Top Service’s goal is to help its customers minimise their exposure to bad debt, using invaluable intelligence to help merchants make informed decisions about whether to grant credit and, if so, how much risk to take.
This data provides valuable insights including: whether you can expect to be paid on time, late, not at all, or even whether you should expect disputed claims. And, crucially, whether your potential customer is approaching your business because they are on stop elsewhere. IBC members receive a discount on Top Service’s monthly membership fees, as well as access to additional exclusive benefits. Plus, Top Service offers a debt collection service designed to deal with collecting monies owed in an efficient and effective manner, using negotiation skills and an Alternative Dispute Resolution service.
www.top-service.co.uk
alphr
As an IBC Service Provider, alphr supports IBC members with HR solutions that allow them to focus on their business, safe in the knowledge that they can access tailored advice when they need it. alphr offers support solutions for both
IBC’s Simon Harris says: “We have more and more IBC members signing up with our Service Providers all the time. They offer great opportunities for independent merchants to save money and reduce their business’ bottom line.”
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net April 2024
• Fuel cards • Forklift trucks and mechanical handling • Health and safety compliance • Employment law and HR • Photocopiers • Staff uniforms • Transport solutions • Utilities.
IBC Member Hitchcock & King says: “We recently joined IBC and one of the many benefits for our business has been the use of IBC Services.
“The IBC team and the dedicated service providers have helped us save time and money, including savings in card payment facilities, utility overheads, fuel cards and health & safety compliance. BMJ
large and small businesses. It offers outsourced HR services available for companies with more than 25 staff for a fixed monthly fee, as well as an HR consultancy for smaller businesses to enable them to access advice from a dedicated HR consultant as and when necessary. All alphr HR consultants are qualified members of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
www.alphr.uk
Branded safety workwear and footwear
Another new Service Provider to join IBC this year, Progressive Safety Footwear & Clothing supplies safety footwear, workwear and PPE covering head-to-toe personal protection to IBC members. This includes a bespoke branding service, enabling merchants to add their logo to all workwear for a professional look. Progressive Safety can customise polo shirts, sweatshirts, fleeces and jackets using its embroidery service and, where bolder branding is needed, can also customise hi-vis items and safety helmets. The company offers a two-week turnaround on orders with no design set-up fees or minimum order quantities.
www.psf.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
