National Buying Group

Name

National Buying Group

Legal name

National Buying Group LLP

Website

https://nationalbuyinggroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Materials Buying Group Services

NAICS

Hardware Merchant Wholesalers (423710)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070), Wholesale-Lumber & Other Construction Materials (5030)

akta.pro primary industry

Membership Wholesale Clubs (B2B & B2B2C) (CRAEAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Retailer-Vendor Collaboration, Joint Business Planning (JBP) & Trade Terms Services (CRAOAOAJ)

Keywords

• Group purchasing organisation
• Builders merchant buying group
• Collective purchasing agreements
• Independent merchant network
• Supplier negotiation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Frodsham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees and group purchasing: NBG operates as a not-for-profit LLP where independent merchants commit to buy products together through negotiated supplier agreements. Revenue comes from membership fees and the efficiency of collective purchasing. All residual proceeds are distributed to partners each year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

National Buying Group (NBG) operates a buying group for independent UK builders, plumbing, timber, roofing and civils merchants. NBG aggregates the purchasing power of 90+ merchant partners operating 300+ branches and negotiates 411+ supplier agreements across eight product categories. It also provides members with The Hub business management portal and a centralised Product Information Management (PIM) system to access agreements, rebates, promotions and product data.

Product overview

National Buying Group (NBG) operates as a buying group for independent merchants, not a software product company. Its core 'product' is collective purchasing power and supplier agreement negotiation. The main platform offerings are The Hub (business management portal) for agreement access and rebate management, and the Product Information Management (PIM) system for centralised product data collection and distribution. NBG partners include 90+ independent merchants operating 300+ branches with combined turnover exceeding £1bn, negotiating deals across 411+ supplier agreements through eight Category Management Teams covering building materials, plumbing, heating, roofing, timber, and related categories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Hub
• Product Information Management (PIM) System
• NBG Collective Purchasing Agreements
• Category Management Teams (CMTs)
• NBG Event App with Voting Function

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% growth in purchases for year to April 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

39 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and supporting.

• Brett MartincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Leading manufacturer of plastic building products. New agreement effective January 2023 for underground drainage components. Over a third of NBG branches added to Brett Martin's merchant network within first half of partnership.
• Mansfield Brick Co LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021181 years of expertise. Brick & Block category. Products include concrete commons, coursings, brick slips, closure blocks.
• U Value Insulation LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Roofing and Insulation category. Extensive variety of products with reliable nationwide distribution service.
• MagplyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Timber category. Fire Protection range and Multi-Purpose Boards.
• Regatta LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Tools & Workwear category. Unparalleled reputation in outdoor clothing market. Tactical Threads clothing line.
• Progressive Safety Footwear & ClothingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Tools & Workwear category. Leading UK distributor of safety footwear, protective workwear, PPE. JCB workwear license.
• Rothley LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Decorating & Hardware category. Leading European supplier of DIY and builder's products and hardware components. Over 190 years of experience.
• Samac Fixings LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Decorating & Hardware category. Essex-based distributor of non-ferrous products including nails, screws, and fixings.
• Big WipesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Decorating & Hardware category. Market leading industrial wipes expert. Specialist cleaning and disinfecting products for tradespeople.
• MannokcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2020Product of the Year 2020 for Master Grade Cement. Brand of the Year (Heavyside) 2020. Lockdown Hero award for outstanding community support during COVID. Multiple category wins.
• Forterra Building ProductscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2020Brick & Block Category Supplier of the Year 2020. Key supplier for brick and construction materials categories.
• Pavestone (UK) LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2020Civils & Landscaping Category Supplier of the Year 2020.
• Toolbank LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2020Tools & Workwear Category Supplier of the Year 2020. Major sponsor of virtual awards ceremony.
• Knauf Insulation LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2020Roofing & Insulation Category Supplier of the Year 2020. Major sponsor of virtual awards ceremony.
• MerlynminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2020Plumbing, Heating & Showrooms Category Supplier of the Year 2020.
• Caledonian Plywood CominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2020Timber Category Supplier of the Year 2020.
• 320 NBG Suppliers (PIM Rollout)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020PIM system rolled out to 320 suppliers initially. Suppliers complete data templates including pricing, logistics, marketing, and media information.
• Taylor Maxwell / Composite PrimeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Taylor Maxwell partnered with Composite Prime to supply composite decking. Deal brought to NBG for Grant & Stone partnership. Product launched at 8 Grant & Stone branches with year-on-year sales success.
• AliaxiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Global leader in plastic piping systems. Partnership since 2015 resulted in 43% turnover increase by 2019. Converted 26 Partners and 60 branches to Aliaxis products. Developed NBG Toolbox to assist merchant teams with ordering and stock management.
• EV Future SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectric vehicle charger specialists. Collaborated with fellow NBG supplier Lakes Showering Spaces to install 18 Easee EV chargers at Lakes' headquarters, their biggest commercial project.
• Lakes Showering Spaces LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading manufacturer of shower enclosures in UK. Electrified entire vehicle fleet (delivery, sales, engineer staff) using EV Future Solutions. Pioneering green initiative in NBG supplier community.
• TIMco (T I Midwood & Co)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 10 years with NBG. Six agreements across multiple categories. First supplier to trial virtual product launches with NBG. Award winner (Decorating, Hardware & Kitchens Supplier of the Year).
• EbizsupportingTechnology or IntegrationThird-party systems partner maintaining the NBG Hub functionality. Governed by legally binding contract protecting partner information. Data stored on secured servers behind firewall.
• VELUXminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted e-commerce workshop for NBG partners. Provides digital content and training to help merchants optimise online presence.
• Kellaway Building Supplies (Pilot Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot partner for plastic packaging audit. 15 branches. Identified potential 2,400% tax increase under new regulations. Worked with NBG on sustainability project.
• Frank Key GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in plastic packaging sustainability project collaboration. Building and construction supplies specialist.
• Hughes Forrest LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in plastic packaging sustainability project. Core group participant.
• Palladium Building SuppliescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in plastic packaging sustainability project. Core group participant.
• Aggregate IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier participant in plastic packaging sustainability project. Major supplier of construction aggregates and materials.
• Cemex UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier participant in plastic packaging sustainability project. Major cement and concrete supplier.
• EtexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier participant in plastic packaging sustainability project. Building materials manufacturer.
• Forterra Building ProductscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier participant in plastic packaging sustainability project. Major brick and building products manufacturer.
• Ibstock BrickcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier participant in plastic packaging sustainability project. UK's largest brick manufacturer.
• QuinnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor sponsor of virtual awards ceremony 2020. Building materials supplier.
• MarshallsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor sponsor of virtual awards ceremony 2020. Hard landscaping specialist.
• PolypipeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor sponsor of virtual awards ceremony 2020. Plastic piping and drainage systems.
• ArborminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor sponsor of virtual awards ceremony 2020.
• EverbuildminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor sponsor of virtual awards ceremony 2020. Sealants and adhesives specialist.
• SiniatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor sponsor of virtual awards ceremony 2020. Building materials manufacturer.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves2 records

Broad incumbents

• Travis Perkins plc: UK's largest builders' merchant group operating national chains (Travis Perkins, Toolstation, Keyline). Represents the consolidated national channel that NBG's independent members compete against, and a structural threat to the independent merchant constituency NBG serves.
• Toolstation: National trade tool and supplies retailer owned by Travis Perkins. Competes with NBG partner merchants for the tradesperson end-customer and competes for supplier marketing budgets.
• Saint-Gobain (Jewson, Graham): Global building products group whose UK merchant brands (Jewson, Graham, Gibbs & Dandy) form one of the national chains competing with NBG's independent partners. Comparable as the dominant incumbent channel in the same UK building products market.
• Grafton Group plc: UK and Irish builders' merchant and DIY group (Selco, Buildbase, Woodie's). Operates the Selco builders' warehouse format and other merchant brands that compete for the same tradesperson customer as NBG's independent partners.

Direct peers

• NMBS: The National Merchant Buying Society is the other major UK buying group for independent builders, plumbing and timber merchants. It negotiates collective supplier terms for its members, operates a member service platform, and is the closest direct competitor to NBG.
• Fortis (formerly H&B Buying Group): Fortis is a UK buying group for independent builders' merchants and specialist trade suppliers, pooling member spend to negotiate preferred supplier terms. Highly comparable to NBG in model, although with a different member base and brand portfolio.

Emerging players

• Buyers' Group (UK Timber/Builders): Smaller specialist UK buying group focused on timber and building materials independents. Less mature scale than NBG but operates the same collective-purchasing model in overlapping product categories.

Others

• AHM (Alliance of Housebuilders' Merchants): Industry body/buying consortium representing UK independent builders' merchants. Tangentially comparable as an aggregation vehicle serving the same constituency, though structured as a trade association rather than a commercial buying group.

Regional players

• HPS (Heating Plumbing Supplies): A buying group/consortium for independent plumbing and heating merchants in the UK. Overlaps directly with NBG's Plumbing/Heating/Showrooms category and competes for the same independent plumbing merchant members and the same heating suppliers.
• IBS (Independent Buying Society): UK buying group focused on independent decorating, hardware and DIY retailers. Comparable group-purchasing model but oriented to a different merchant vertical (decorating/hardware retail rather than builders/plumbing), so it competes for supplier attention and partnership mindshare more than for members.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NBGLLP
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-buying-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Buying Group