VIEW FROM THE START


BMJ BUILDERS MERCHANTS JOURNAL


NBG FOUNDERS: TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE


A spectacular 15th anniversary celebration and a raft of industry “firsts” made 2018 a landmark year for National Buying Group.


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he UK’s premier buying group for builders merchants achieved a record attendance at its annual conference, launched the innovative Merchants of Change community, and was the first buying group in the sector to launch into the Twittersphere.


Huge strides have been taken in a short period of time, delivering benefits to members and partners, and forging friendships for life. Founding partners Tom Parker, former owner of Parker Building Supplies, and Perry Eyre, former managing director of The Builders Centre (Sheffield) Ltd, believe the group has secured, and transformed, the fortunes of its businesses. They discuss NBG’s history and recount how it has grown from a handful of like-minded, business-savvy individuals into a professional network of more than 80 merchant partners.


NBG officially formed in 2003 following the merger of three separate buying groups – the Scottish Independent Merchants Buying Association (SIMBA), the Chandor Consortium (South of England), and the Prospero Consortium (North and Central England, and Wales).


Parker recently retired following the acquisition of his company by Cairngorm Capital Partners, he became a member of the Chandor Consortium in response to the 1991 recession. He says: “When the recession before last hit, the market was dominated by the nationals. Therefore, to remain competitive we needed to come together and be a strengthened voice for the independent community.”


To ensure their survival, Parker and fellow Chandor Consortium members decided to


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comradery between partners is truly inspiring. I have made friends for life through NBG. That’s why I still get involved even though I’m retired,” says Parker


Perry Eyre shares Parker’s positive experience of NBG. As an original member of Prospero Consortium, Eyre has 44 years’ experience in the industry and retired on his 60th birthday in 2018.


Tom Parker, former owner of Parker Building Supplies


broaden their supply and material base through collective buying power, and joined with two other buying groups to create NBG. Better value product deals were far from the only benefit of joining a national group. Parker explains: “Before becoming part of a buying group, it was a lonely life as an independent builder’s merchant. If you had a challenge, there was nowhere to go, you had to deal with it yourself.”


“When Chandor Consortium became part of NBG, I was able to meet with other partners from around the country to share learnings and expertise. It was these conversations that enabled me to expand beyond heavy-side into the timber sector, with the help of fellow NBG partner Tony Jenvey. We traded advice openly. Without his guidance and support, I would not have been able to grow my business and later diversify into plumbing and heating.” A culture of knowledge-sharing is still prevalent today; it is what makes NBG such an attractive proposition to independent merchants. “NBG provides so much more than access to good buying deals. The friendship and


He says: “There’s a great sense of community at NBG. It provides merchants with the opportunity to rub shoulders with other managing directors and business owners. I became a better businessman for it and we’ve learnt a lot from each other.”


He became managing director at the age of 28 and was introduced to the concept of buying groups following a lost order for concrete pipes and manhole covers. Eyre explains: “I had never heard of Prospero buying group but after losing business, I could see the advantage of better terms through buying arrangements. That was my first lesson in the value of buying groups.”


Over the years, the group has adapted and modernised, developing its IT system so partners can check live deals and rebates at the touch of a button. He says: “At NBG, we’ve always prided ourselves on being professional. However, when we first formed NBG it was run on a shoestring with no internal staff. As unpaid officials, our focus has always been to negotiate the best deals we can for the benefit of everyone.


“I would encourage any independent merchant to join a buying group. As in life, you get out what you put in. Not only did NBG enhance my bottom line, I made a lot of good friends and acquaintances along the way.”


January 2019


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