VIEW FROM THE TOP


This is the go-to destination for all relevant information on the constituent parts of NBG. From the latest Supplier news to contact details for key personnel across the network, Partners can trust the Hub to keep themselves up to date at all times.


One of the main roles of the Hub is to help with the management of rebates. Hughes said: “As a Supplier, this can prove to be an invaluable tool too. We’ve seen a number of you upload details of promotion and product news to generate engagement from our Partners. There’s also a lot of business intelligence to be gathered from the Hub as well. The recent updates we’ve made make this data and insight much easier to access.” NBG is keen to make the Hub as useful as possible. Les Boyle, Head of Technology and Systems and his team are fully committed to continuous improvement and welcome any feedback from Partners and Suppliers to make the Hub even more valuable to all parties. The second core system is the NBG PIM. Hughes said: “Our Product Information Management system is the real nerve centre at the heart of our systems, and is fully integrated within the Hub. It’s the most technically advanced product management software available to independent merchants. “This is where our Partners can access live data on Supplier pricing, which is pretty fundamental stuff for any business keen to make a profit. But it also offers much more than that – we’re talking other essential product data such as materials, dimensions, weights, USPs and images. This really is Partner- Supplier collaboration in action. We currently have over 400 of you providing data with pricing data now 91% complete. Like any living thing, the PIM needs some looking after. But I think we can all agree that the TLC it needs is well worth it as we all look to drive efficiencies and accuracy across the board.”


The NBG Academy, is, as Hughes described it, the “go-to on how to”. It is the latest initiative born from the need to introduce the latest version of the Hub and PIM. The Academy is in its early inception, but Hughes said there are big plans to develop it going forward. “These include not only how-to guides


for our key systems but also a repository for Suppliers to provide video-based guidance and sales collateral relating to their products, and for our Partners to share ideas on best practice. “Our central support team has worked tirelessly to develop an initial raft of information designed to help you and the various teams across your businesses to get the most from the Hub, which you should really be using by now,” he said.


January 2025 7


A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY “Many businesses and organisations will use the word ‘supportive’ somewhere in their company handbooks and HR policies, and that’s to be commended. But how many organisations out there will see that supportive culture translate into such tangible impact on their performance?” Hughes asked. “As an LLP, democracy has to be built into the foundations of NBG, but we don’t restrict that democracy to the votes we have to make. This is all about creating an environment of sharing, of collaboration and of trusting each other. It’s important, quite simply because every Partner within NBG is an independent merchant striving for success. Within NBG, we create a community greater than the sum of its parts.” Hughes believes that joining NBG means tapping into a network of 94 independent businesses that can help with all manner of things. “We can’t all be experts in everything,


“We’re glad to be part of a group where people are willing to learn from our experiences and listen to our ideas. It’s a very democratic approach, like our own ethos.” Richard Froggett, Merchant Manager at NMSB


can we? But we can tap into the expertise of others – and in many respects, we’d be mad not to. The more we engage with each other, the more we stand to gain. This sector does experience the odd challenging spell from time to time, but that’s where there’s a huge opportunity for the NBG community to pull together and engage, to seek new perspectives and benefit from our collective experiences.”


Hughes continued: “Led by our Head of New Partner Development and Recruitment, Phil Bonar, our onboarding process ensures that every Partner is welcomed into the fold and given immediate access to a buddy or


WHO’S WHO IN THE CMTS:


The General Build Category covers products such as cement, plasterboard, lintels etc, and is led by Neil Robinson, Financial Director at Interline Building Supplies.


Bricks and Blocks Category is overseen by Tim Jerrard-Dinn, Director of County Building Supplies.


Civils and Landscaping Category includes aggregates, paving, drainage and falls under Grev Coomer, Managing Director at Coomers.


Roofing and Insulation Category is led by Nick Bulpin, Managing Director at Hughes Forrest. Timber Category is led by David Santi, Joint Managing Director at McNairs Building Supplies. Lightside Category, incorporating tools, workwear, decorating and kitchens is headed up by Doug Brooker, from Brookers.


Plumbing, Heating and Showrooms Category lead by Ian Thorp from Danby’s for over 12 years, who will be handing over the reins to Gary Williams of CUPlas.


mentor who can help them make the most of the group right from the off.


“Against the backdrop of a challenging last 18 months, NBG has outperformed the market. We’ve done that because we have the right Supplier deals from the right Supplier partners. We’re not expecting it to be a smooth journey towards finding the opportunities presented by an improving market. It will require effort from both sides. But when we all look around the room today at the calibre of people and businesses that make NBG what it is, we’ve got every reason to look forward to overcoming the challenges ahead.”


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