Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Builders merchant buying group NMBS held its 55th annual Dinner Dance in London last month.
The UK’s largest buying society for independent builders’, timber, hardware, and plumbing and heating merchants held the event on 27 October 2018 in the Great Room at London’s exclusive Grosvenor House Hotel, in Mayfair. Guests came from across NMBS’ merchant membership, joining with representatives from brand-leading building industry suppliers.
NMBS chairman Jeremy Miller gave a brief update on the society, which has enjoyed a very strong year to-date.
He said: “NMBS has never been in better shape. We are delivering on our KPIs for 2018, by operating well within our budgeted costs, and we are projecting turnover this year of approximately £1.78bn, which will be up 5% on last year.
“This evening is about having fun and celebrating the success that comes from independents working together to achieve something better, not just for themselves, but also for their supplier partners, many of whom are here tonight.
“This good performance demonstrates that independents continue to grow their market share during uncertain and difficult times. We are extremely grateful to everyone in this room tonight for their support and recognition that we can all gain by working together.”
NMBS managing director Chris Hayward revealed the winner of the prize draw, sponsored by Makita, with one guest receiving £1,000-worth of Apple products. Draw entries and table donations meant the evening raised £13,000 to be divided between the Rainy Day Trust and CRASH.
The evening began with a champagne drinks reception, sponsored by Bradstone & Makita. Once seated for dinner, guests were asked to burst IG-sponsored balloons tied to the backs of their chairs. One lucky winner won a weekend break for two at a top-class London hotel, complete with theatre tickets.
There were also Scratchcards from Tarmac, with three winners each receiving a new Amazon Echo Spot. Artex had sponsored lottery tickets to enter every guest into the evening’s national Lotto draw. Table gifts were sponsored by Richard Burbidge and British Gypsum.
