MERCHANT FOCUS: ALLTYPE ROOFING SUPPLIES
delivery mailed to them. So, one of our bigger contractors will have an email to head office immediately it has been delivered to let them know it has arrived, together with images. There’s full transparency.”
Five years ago, Alltype joined the NBG buying group, on the recommendation of a few suppliers. Bick says: “We went in because we realised that around a third of our spend was general building products, that’s not an inconsiderable amount. A few suppliers told us of the benefits of the buying group. So, we looked at it and thought if we could save on one third of our purchasing, then it would be a good move. Since we have joined, NBG’s number of roofing merchants has grown steadily, and it has been really good for us; I’d say one of the best things we have done as a business in recent years.”
He says that, initially, the idea was to join for the buying benefits alone. “I was purely looking at the financial benefits, but I sat down with Nick Bulpin and Nick Oates, and they said I was underestimating the value of
the whole picture. I thought yes of course they would say that wouldn’t they? But wind forward to where we are now, some of my closest friends in the business have come about because of our entry into NBG. The value that the culture has added to our business is immense. Nine times out of ten, if I have a problem, they’re either dealing with the same problem, or they have done so in the past, or they will have to in the future.” Bick adds: “Whoever said the line about it’s like having 72 business consultants on speed dial was spot on. It’s like being on a massive steering group. If there are problems, you can ask is anyone else dealing with this? There’s always someone who is and willing to advise.” In terms of the company’s forward arc, Bick says that there is no hurry to expand, though it has already set up a complementary business, Building Plastics On Demand. “As and when
Building a complementary business
Building Plastics On Demand specialises in facias, guttering, roofing, plumbing, drainage and outdoor living products from specialist brands such as FreeFoam, FloPlast, Polypipe, Brett Martin, Soudal and ResTec. It’s based in a 10,000 sq ft facility in Gravesend, ideally placed for distribution into London and the home counties, and is led by Ian Ironmonger, formerly UK sales director at FloPlast, and Alan Knuckey, who’s been with Alltype for 20 years. “We thought about growth and what that might look like for us, and building plastics seemed to be an ideal extension
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to all of the specialist ranges, all of the colours, rainwater in aluminium, cast-iron effect, all the specialist products. Before we set this up, when any of our customers needed anything like that they went elsewhere,” Bick says.
of our core offering. The location in Gravesend is strategic from our perspective. It sits on the cusp of M25, so it can access all of our Alltype branches very quickly. The idea is that we develop what we do at every branch, so every Alltype location has extensive stocks in the core colours, white and black, and now have access
“Since Ian has been with us, our plastics business is significantly up, just by having someone who understands that particular market, and who can spot things that we had missed because it’s not our core specialism. Alan joined Alltype from school, and between the two of them, we have someone who knows Alltype
inside out, and someone who understands the building plastics market inside out, probably better than anyone.
“The idea is to expand the branch numbers of Building Plastics, putting dots in places on the map where they will work best in supporting the existing business. Number 2 is in the process of being developed, and should be ready shortly. We have some ideas of where we’d like the rest of the dots to be, though nothing is definite yet, but it will be in areas where they can best support the rest of the Alltype business.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net June 2024
the right opportunity presents itself, we would be happy to take advantage,” he says. Bick adds: “Growth doesn’t necessarily always mean bigger; it can mean better. We want to do what we do, but better. We want to continue evolving, refining what we do. Utilising technology. Developing relationships and taking our service up to world class levels.” BMJ
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