Paul Pennick joins as Procurement Director, with a special focus on timber.

h&b Group, the leading buying group for independent builders' merchants, has appointed Paul Pennick as its Procurement Director, with a special focus on timber.

The appointment underlines h&b's ongoing commitment to and investment in enhancing the expertise and experience within its organisation, further strengthening its position in the merchanting industry.

Pennick boasts a long career in merchanting, growing from yard operations to director-level roles. From the very beginning of his career, he has been immersed in the world of buying and selling timber.

Pennick will play a pivotal role in optimising the profitability of timber products within the group and nurturing the development of the timber category at h&b. His extensive knowledge and experience will be instrumental in guiding merchants on when, where, and how to make informed purchasing decisions.

Pennick said: "I am excited to join h&b Group and dive straight into negotiations, leveraging my knowledge and experience to bring value to our merchant members. My goal is to help them 'buy better to sell more.' Additionally, I am committed to forging mutually beneficial partnerships with our suppliers so that they can better serve our h&b members."