CORGI-DIRECT JOINS GMGB

Grafton Merchanting GB has announced the acquisition of CORGI-direct, an on-line shop selling a wide range of products including training manuals, forms and publications for plumbing and heating tradesmen, work clothing, tools, equipment and chemicals.

The business, employing five staff, is based at Chineham Park near Basingstoke and will continue to trade as CORGI-direct. GMGB welcomes Clare Barrett who joins as general manager of CORGI-direct.

“The Corgi name is synonymous with trust, quality and safety and is universally recognised,” says Kevin Middleton, GMGB managing director. “This is a natural extension of our business portfolio and will complement our existing brands. On-line sales are one of the fastest growing sectors and this is an exciting opportunity to tap into it.”

CORGI was originally formed in the 1970s to support the Gas Safe Register on behalf of the HSE. In order to make use of the very high brand awareness, CORGI developed a new division called CORGI-direct in 2005, initially to sell forms and publications. CORGI-direct evolved and today sells additional products such as gas testing equipment, health & safety products including signs, work-wear, tools and other associated items.

GRAFTON MERCHANTING GB NAMED NATIONAL BUILDERS MERCHANT

Grafton Merchanting GB was announced as the National Builders’ Merchant of the Year at the recent BM Awards for Excellence 2009. The award was made at the annual ceremony attended by guests from all areas of the builders’ merchants industry. Held at the prestigious Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, the event was hosted by sports presenter John Inverdale.

“It’s a real achievement to have won this award in a year when trading conditions have conspired against us,” said Kevin Middleton, managing director, GMGB. “The formation of GMGB has made us a stronger organisation, better able to trade in a weak economy.

“Our ‘independent’ ethos and focus on good customer service are the basis of our success. This combined with the creation of GMGB have seen us emerge as a bigger and better force within the industry.

“We are very proud to win the award in 2009. By pooling our knowledge and working together, we are a new and dynamic force in the industry.

The award shows that we have gained the respect of our peers and this will be a real boost to our staff and our business that we’ll build on in 2010.”

MANAGED STORES BOOST TRUST'S EFFICIENCY

Registered Social Landlord Trafford Housing Trust has signed a contract with Grafton Group Supply Chain Solutions to have a fully managed stores in the borough - to improve its efficiency and service to tenants.

The four-year-old housing association, which has 9,100 properties for social rent, has signed a four-year contract.

Some 1,500 different products will be held in stock at the stores, based at the Keelsupply warehouse, in Trafford Park and branded as Buildbase, Grafton’s principal builders merchant in the UK.

Grafton Group Supply Chain Solutions has established many partnerships with social housing clients throughout the UK to provide building and plumbing materials for responsive repairs and maintenance to properties.

Jane McCall, Trafford Housing Trust’s Director of Delivery, said: “Grafton offers considerable purchasing power and excellent product knowledge. Its partnership with the Trust will help ensure quality materials, cost savings and a reliable and faster service for tenants.

“In addition we have been able to agree with Grafton that our tenants will be able to purchase material at discounted rates and this will be a benefit to our customers when undertaking minor improvements or community-based projects.”

Steve Boyle, Regional Director of Grafton Group Supply Chain Solutions, added: “We are delighted to be working with Trafford Housing Trust. The new stores will have all the necessary materials in stock and be managed by our experienced staff who can give help and advice and speed up collections. We will work closely with the Trust to develop the partnership and ensure its success.”

Supply Chain Solutions is a framework supplier to both Procurement for Housing and Office of Government Commerce Buying Solutions and is familiar with the OJEU process. It provides a range of supply solutions from dedicated in-house stores to supply-only agreements.

GRAFTON APPOINTED AS BUYING SOLUTIONS' SUPPLIER

Following a rigorous evaluation and selection process, it has been announced that Grafton has been awarded a framework agreement to provide building and plumbing materials to the public sector.

Grafton Group Supply Chain Solutions will play a key role in helping the public sector to buy materials that offer value for money and comply with statutory and legislative requirements.

Buying Solutions is the national procurement partner for UK public services. It was established in 2001 and is an Executive Agency of the Office of Government Commerce in the Treasury. The primary role of Buying Solutions is to maximise the value for money obtained by government departments and other public bodies through the procurement and supply of goods and services. It is the largest professional buying organisation in the wider public sector.

Grafton brands join more than 600 suppliers who offer 500,000 products and services to the public sector through Buying Solutions. The diverse range of public customers spans the biggest central government departments, NHS Trusts and local councils down to the smallest schools.

“This is a very important win for us,” says Roy Mason, Grafton national partnering director. “To be appointed as a Buying Solutions’ supplier is a significant achievement and will open up many opportunities for new partnerships. It gives us the third party endorsement that we can provide ‘value for money and efficiency’ as a supplier to the public sector.”

Grafton is a framework supplier to Buying Solutions for building materials, heating and pipeline, electrical hardware, tools, personal protective equipment and plant hire, as supplied through the group’s specialist merchanting brands.

Grafton Group Supply Chain Solutions continues to win new contracts in both public and private sectors to provide cost-effective management of the materials supply chain. The business has a growing list of clients including housing associations, local authorities, construction companies, facilities and utilities companies and government bodies in the defence, health and education sectors.

NEW GRAFTON MERCHANTING GB BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Two key new appointments have been made to the Board of Grafton Merchanting GB. Sue Knight, currently joint managing director of Jackson Building Centres, has been appointed lightside purchasing director, while Martin Lovell, managing director of Hendricks Lovell Limited, becomes heavyside purchasing director.

Both Sue and Martin will continue their involvement with Jacksons and Hendricks Lovell respectively.

Speaking about the new appointments, Kevin Middleton, managing director of GMGB, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sue and Martin onto the Board. These new appointments will be very important for the business, not least to ensure a strong purchasing position while the industry is facing such difficult times.”

Grafton Merchanting GB was created last year to incorporate the majority of Grafton Group’s merchanting brands in GB. It includes Buildbase, Plumbase, Jackson Building Centres, Buildbase Civils & Lintels, Hirebase, PDM, Hendricks Lovell, L&G Forest Products, Keelsupply, Acorn Insulation and Progress Group.