This year’s National Buying Group (NBG) Conference was held in Liverpool and was a two-day event of exhibitions, talks, networking, and celebrating the last year of NBG.
The whole conference was focused on the importance of building successful brands with the title: Bigger, Bolder, Better. During the two days £12,180.10 was raised for charity, with over £5,000 of that raised just during the Gala Dinner.
On Monday, the day started with a Supplier vs Members football match that ended with a 2:2 draw. After this, the brands went to the Supplier Summit, which was followed by the New Product Showcase where each supplier had less than a minute each to introduce their brands and new products.
After the members only AGM, the conference went to a converted warehouse to enjoy the NBG festival of music with artists and tribute bands played while street food was served for dinner.
During the second day the exhibition hall was open so merchants and suppliers could network and place orders. To finish off the conference was the Gala Dinner and awards, which was held in the surroundings of Liverpool Cathedral.
As well as awards for suppliers in each of NBG’s eight product categories, prizes were also given to the Brand of the Year and Account Manager of the Year, voted for by NBG Partners. Brand of the Year 2017 is TI Midwood with OX Group and Knauf Insulation finishing second and third. John Gaunt of Knauf insulation scooped the Account manager of the Year title once again, with Simon Rance (TI Midwood) and Guy Best (Arbor Forest Products) as second and third placed.
NBG Brand of the Year
1st: TI Midwood & Co Ltd
2nd: OX Group
3rd: Knauf Insulation
NBG Account Manager of the Year
1st: John Gaunt: Knauf Insulation
2nd: Simon Rance: TI Midwood & Co Ltd
3rd: Guy Best: Arbor Forest Products
Brick & Block Supplier of the Year
1st: Wienerberger Ltd
2nd: H+H K Ltd – Celcon
3rd: Quinn Building Products Ltd
Civils & Landscaping Supplier of the Year
1st: Pavestone (UK) Ltd
2nd: Clark Drain Ltd
3rd: Aggregate Industries - Bradstone & Charcon
Decorating & Hardware Supplier of the Year
1st: TI Midwood & Co Ltd
2nd: Tembe DIY Products Ltd
3rd: ITW Construction Products
General Build Supplier of the Year
1st: Long Rake Spar Co Ltd
2nd: Everbuild Building Products Ltd
3rd: Keystone Lintels Ltd
Plumbing, Heating & Showrooms Supplier of the Year
1st: Ariston Thermo UK Ltd
2nd: Kartell Ltd
3rd: Eastbrook Company
Roofing & Insulation Supplier of the Year
1st: Knauf Insulation Ltd
2nd: Slatescape Ltd
3rd: Easy-Trim Roofing & Construction Products Ltd
Timber Supplier of the Year
1st: MDM Timber Ltd
2nd: Taylor Maxwell & Co Ltd
3rd: Unilin Distribution Ltd
Tools & Workwear Supplier of the Year
1st: Toolbank Ltd
2nd: Dickies UK Ltd
3rd: OX Group