Jewson brings suppliers together to tackle 2010

Builders merchant group Jewson brought over 100 key suppliers together at its annual Internal Build exhibition and supplier conference to look at ways of working together to tackle the challenging market conditions in 2010.
The Internal Build Exhibition at Harrogate, now in its third year, allowed leading suppliers the chance to meet over 750 Jewson branch managers and senior managers to demonstrate their latest products and continue to strengthen personal relationships.

The exhibition was zoned by product type and included sections for Light Building Materials and Joinery, Kitchen Bathroom and Plumbing, Timber, Heavy Building Materials and Tool Hire. Exhibitors including Beko, Hanson, Ideal Standard, Knauf and Tarmac were joined by Jewson’s sister brands including Pasquill Roof Trusses, International Decorative Surfaces and CTD.

The exhibition was supplemented this year by a bespoke suppliers’ conference which attracted over 300 delegates in the morning.

Vincent Mialet, Jewson’s marketing director said: “Whilst we believe that 2010 is set to be a better year than last, there is no doubt that the whole industry still faces challenging times. Working together is a prerequisite for success in our industry and Internal Build is vitally important in allowing our branch managers to set up working relationships with the suppliers that will allow Jewson to deliver an even better service to our customers and maintain our competitive advantage in the UK market.”

At the gala dinner, Jewson anounced that its ‘together’ fundraising initiative has this year already raised over £70,000 for its chosen partner Help the Hospices. Much this has come from branch level initiatives from Jewson staff and the branch managers; at the dinner a further £6,000 was raised.

Jewson’s ‘together’ fundraising programme has raised over £1.6 million since it was launched in 2002 and previous partners have included the British Heart Foundation and Wish Upon a Star.