TIMCO is one of the UK’s leading wholesale suppliers to the UK construction and industrial sectors with over 5000 independent merchants across the UK and Ireland.
Established in 1972 and headquartered in Nantwich, Cheshire, we provide more than 8,000 essential products that trade professionals rely on every day. TIMCO has achieved continuous growth over the last 50 years by staying true to its core values which set it apart from its competitors.
The company’s acquisition by the Bufab Group in 2022 will enable TIMCO to accelerate its growth and continue expanding the range of products and services it offers, while still providing industry-leading support, services and products to its builders’ merchants such as Buttle’s.
One such example of these values is the ‘TIMCO hug’ – an umbrella of support packages designed to drive customer growth in a competitive market, through provision of expert advice including products and sales.
Our 20-strong team of Regional Business Consultants continue to advise customers on both market and product range analysis. They are also able to provide best practice guidelines gained from experience in the sector, enabling them to produce bespoke plans for each TIMCO customer. This function is backed up with a dedicated, experienced merchandising team which implements a professional, customer focussed in-store and events experience.
Last year, Regional Business Manager Andrew Moore sat down with Head of Commercial Hannah Brunton to understand the current challenges being faced by Buttle’s and how they could work collaboratively with TIMCO to increase sales across its three branches. Buttle’s is an independently owned timber and builders’ merchant, dating back to 1919 and still operating from its original site in Kentish Town as well as branches in St Albans and Leighton Buzzard.
TIMCO and Buttle’s first started working together approximately nine months ago. The three branches had no defined range of nails, screws and fixings making it difficult for them to promote to customers and for customers to shop. Over the last six months, Hannah set to work with our southern based Regional Business Manager, Andrew Moore to develop and implement a core and extended range to be launched into the Buttle’s branches.
Both Buttle’s and TIMCO share the same ethos of being independently minded; always developing new ideas and services as well as adapting and changing to suit the needs of customers. So has been a natural fit when developing a bespoke plan dedicated to Buttle’s.
Hannah says: “Andrew has been incredibly helpful in co-ordinating the review from a TIMCO perspective and ensuring the best range possible was put together to set us up for future success.”
“I outlined what I was looking to achieve and why and Andy completely got it. An initial range was put forward and following discussions was agreed. It was bit of a leap of faith for us, the category hadn’t been performing that well so giving over more space was a risk, but it is paying off”
The end result has been a complete overhaul. Working alongside the TIMCO Sales Support Team, new product ranges, racking, Point-of-Sale and an overarching layout have all contributed to a much better ‘flow’ across all three Buttle’s branches.
Hannah adds: “Since the review and subsequent branch changes, sales across the category have significantly increased and our customers are now using us more for nails, screws and fixings. The offer is now extremely credible, and we have good stock levels so customers can rely on us for their essential building products. We are really pleased with the performance and have seen a volume increase in 2022 of over 140% on the previous year, which is a fantastic achievement and credit to everyone’s hard work.”
Regional Business Consultant Andrew Moore said: “On a personal note, I am immensely proud of the changes made across Buttle’s branches and delighted with the latest results. The TIMCO business model is to support customer businesses, enabling them to compete with national operators and this case study is proof that a collaborative approach can be successful today. I am excited to see the ongoing sales growth and enhanced customer satisfaction at Buttle’s as well as looking forward to continuing this working relationship over the next twelve months.”
But what’s next for Buttle’s as Hannah concludes: “As a business, we will continue to move forwards with TIMCO. We will undertake regular category and range reviews as well as industry leading working practices for the benefit of all. In 2023, we will keep an eye on new products and improve our light side sales. I am hopeful of further opportunities with TIMCO and in turn, hope we continue to be easy to trade with. We want to keep providing great customer satisfaction and ensure they #buildwith buttles in the future!”