FOCUSON DISTRIBUTORS Malcolm Thomas
Claygate
BKU’s Matt Broughton spoke with Malcolm Thomas - Sales Director at Claygate Distribution - about the events of 2024 and the 12 months ahead.
company began the year in a cautious position, having streamlined its portfolio by removing several manufacturers at the close of 2023. Coupled with a difficult economic climate, the start of the year was slow. However, January also brought a major positive development, as the company proudly announced new partnerships with Tavistock, Sycamore, and JT Ellis, becoming official distributors for their exceptional product ranges. Malcolm picks up the story: “The months that
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followed were focused on promoting and supporting our newly onboarded manufacturers. These efforts started to yield tangible results, highlighting the strength of our partnerships. At the same time, we concentrated on expanding our range of OEM products, including the Tunbridge Wells Brassware range by adding an extensive collection of heated towel rails. These
024 proved to be a challenging yet transformative year for Claygate. The
additions, launched in the final quarter of the year, marked a significant milestone for our product development strategy.”
Influencing trends Malcolm reports that two noticeable trends emerged during 2024 that significantly influenced the market. First, there was a marked increase in demand for open-shelf bathroom furniture, reflecting a broader consumer preference for minimalist and functional design. “Additionally, we observed a growing interest in luxury bathroom products,” says Malcolm, “particularly bidet toilets, which are increasingly viewed as an essential feature in premium bathroom spaces. These trends emphasise a shift toward both practicality and indulgence in bathroom design.” One of the year’s proudest moments for the
company was attending the BKU Awards 10th Anniversary celebration, where Claygate won the Best Distributor Award for the seventh consecutive year. “This achievement is a
testament to the dedication of our team, the trust of our manufacturers, and the loyalty of our customers.” In October, Claygate celebrated another
highlight: the launch of its latest brochure, which featured newly developed OEM products. The positive reception and early sales figures confirmed the strength of these additions to the company’s portfolio.
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Our focus remains on developing our OEM offerings, supporting the products of our valued manufacturers, and fostering growth
October also brought a significant new
partnership, as Geberit approached Claygate to become one of their key distributors. Malcolm explains: “We embraced this opportunity, finalising stock orders for delivery in November. This collaboration marked another step in broadening our product offerings and reinforcing our position in the market. Despite the challenges of the early months, our
collective hard work and resilience enabled us to close the year in a much stronger position than initially forecasted.”
2025 “We’re excited to announce an exclusive new partnership in January 2025 with Thirty Eight Degrees (TED), introducing their innovative range of digital showers to the market. This collaboration represents our commitment to bringing cutting-edge products to our customers. “As we look ahead to 2025, we anticipate
continued challenges but are confident in our ability to navigate them. Our focus remains on developing our OEM offerings, supporting the products of our valued manufacturers, and fostering growth. With a full team of Area Sales Managers (ASMs) in place, we are better equipped than ever to strengthen relationships with both manufacturers and customers. “Our primary goal is to build on the
momentum of 2024, leveraging the hard work and successes of the past year to drive sustained growth and innovation in the months ahead.”
22 BKU JANUARY 2025
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