WELCOME WHEN THREE BECAME ONE


A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY BUILDERS MERCHANT JOURNAL


ONCE UPON A time, there were three little buying groups. Regionally based, they negotiated with Suppliers on behalf of their fellow merchants, getting deals that meant they could compete on a more level playing field with larger competitors. Until one day, someone had an idea that bringing even more merchants into the fold might make for even better buying. So, a few phone calls were made, a few meetings attended, and, eventually, Chandor, Prospero and Simba came to operate as one organisation, the National Buying Group. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.


Once again, BMJ was delighted to have been asked to work closely with NBG on this very special supplement, which glances back at how and why the group was formed, but, more importantly, looks forward to where it’s going, and what Partners and Suppliers can expect. A truly collaborative organisation, NBG expects every Partner to step up and play their roles, whether that’s on the Executive Board or the Category Management Teams. And they do.


There are tough times coming along, and belts will need to be tightened amongst merchants and manufacturers alike. However, one thing that has always stood out during difficult economic outlooks, is the strength of the independent sector. That was the clear message from NBG at its annual Supplier Summit, and Conference, held back in the vibrant city of Liverpool for the first time since 2018. The Group has shown in the past that problems are best overcome by working together, by listening and talking, and engaging with Suppliers and with other Partners. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next 20 years has in store.


Fiona Russell Horne Group Managing Editor, BMJ


STRENGTH IN PARTNERSHIP


THE STRENGTH OF the independent sector has always been its ability to think and act fast, to make decisions, and to work collaboratively with Suppliers and other merchants. That’s certainly something that we’ve seen at NBG over the past 20 years. The group was formed as a collaboration between three existing buying groups, and that commitment to working together has seen it grow to become a major player in the supply chain. Not only has the group itself grown, but the Partners themselves have grown, and I believe that the way the group operates facilitates this. We are about buying better, and growing businesses by working together. However, this coming year is going to be tough, which is why we need to focus not just on the buying aspect, but also on the selling. By collaborating and engaging with each other, NBG can work to strengthen sales and buy better, helping our Suppliers and our Partners. We have grown a lot, and learned a lot, in the 20 years since NBG was formed. I know that the group is in a good place to continue that over the next 20 years and beyond.


Nick Oates Managing Director, NBG


Published by BUILDERS MERCHANTS JOURNAL,


on behalf of NBG, the National Buying Group.


Datateam Business Media, London Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8LY


Tel: 01622 687031 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


Production Controller: Nic Mandeville


nmandeville@datateam.co.uk EDITORIAL


Group Managing Editor Fiona Russell-Horne 01622 699101


frussell-horne@datateam.co.uk


Assistant Editor: Will McGill 01622 699185


wmgill@datateam.co.uk


Media Account Executive: Morgan Borthwick-Hunter 01622 699126


Publisher: Paul Ryder


pryder@datateam.co.uk


30 Networking in action It’s not all work, work, work


© Datateam Business Media Ltd 2024. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photo-copying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher. The title Builders Merchants Journal is registered at Stationers’ Hall.


January 2024 THIS IS YOUR LIFE SO FAR... 3 ADVERTISING


Group Sales Manager: Dawn Tucker 01622 699148 dtucker@datateam.co.uk


JANUARY 2024


CONTENTS


5 View from the Top MD interview


7 The Power of Engagement


Looking at how Partners and Suppliers work together


12 Supplier Summit A round-up of some of the key aspects of the Supplier Summit in Liverpool


18 Partner Focus A year in NBG


20 Partner Interview How can we encourage young people into the industry?


22 Category Focus How the Brick & Block Category Management Team operates


24 NBG This is your Life, so far...


26 All for One, and One for All


A chat with some of the founding Partners about their NBG journey


28 Supplier and Partner Awards The winners


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