NMBS challenges market perception of independents’ share

Independent builders merchants buying group NMBS has announced that its independent merchant members now have over 3000 branches within the UK and a combined sales value of over £6.5bn.
Collectively, the NMBS membership is a bigger entity than Travis Perkins and Saint Gobain combined, and has more branches than any other national merchant.

NMBS says that, even only counting the sales turnover of NMBS members, the independent market share would be greater than 40%, bearing in mind that there are still independents outside of NMBS which are not accounted for.

NMBS recently conducted a survey of its 1000 plus membership to understand their thoughts and views on the future for the industry and what their plans would be. A snapshot of the findings include a growing confidence factor for the year ahead and the staggering statement that over 40% were planning to grow by adding branches.

NMBS managing director, Chris Hayward says: “NMBS and its independent members still offer the most effective route to market for any building industry supplier, with independents having visibly the greater market share in many commodity areas ranging from Natural Paving to Power tools.

“So our message is clear: Independents are a real force in the market place and have real confidence and proven plans for growth in the future.”