New independent merchant opens in Liverpool

An independent builder’s merchant has opened in Anfield, Liverpool and says it has ambitions to “take on established national firms based in and around the city”.
Carl Oates, Chris Brennand and Mike Choong have set up Mersey Building Supplies (MBS) in an 8,000 sq. ft. unit on Larch Lea Industrial Estate in Anfield. It will specialise in the supply of ironmongery and consumables as well as general reactive maintenance materials.

Oates, who is sales director at MBS, says: “We felt that there was a definite gap in the market for a local wholesaler that really understood the changing needs of the local market. We have incredibly strong links with suppliers and can offer price matching and high stock levels to ensure our customers are getting best value and excellent customer service.”

MBS will also offer welfare facilities for local contractors who may not have resources in place or strong enough need to set up their individual welfare unit. Builders are able to use the MBS premises to wash and clean, refresh, prepare and purchase food. Anfield places the company in a central location for building projects across the city as well as the large scale regeneration plans for Anfield Itself and contractors are already beginning to use the added facilities.

Oates continues: “We’re ultimately catering from the small to medium seized contractor and are able to offer these companies a personal service married with great cost savings. We believe this offering separates us from the rest, and ultimately will help us grow and develop our presence within the city.”

The trio are already looking to replicate the model in other cities as part of a five year plan.

Oates adds: “We want to perfect this model here in Liverpool and ultimately roll the business out with other branches initially with the North West. We believe we have the beginnings of a business with huge scope and potential that will soon become a firm fixture for builders within Liverpool and Merseyside.”