A merchant specialising in the sale of plumbing, heating, electrical, and bathroom products has become the first company to complete an innovative route to NMBS membership.
Nu Independent Wholesalers, based in Minehead, Somerset, has recently become a full member of NMBS after first joining the buying society in 2024 on an affiliate basis.
Dean Hayward, head of sales and marketing at NMBS, said: "Our affiliate to full member pathway reflects NMBS' commitment to enhancing the success of all builder's, timber, roofing, hardware, plumbing, heating, plastics and engineering, and industrial merchants. This applies regardless of whether that merchant is a large and well established, multi-site organisation or a new entrant to the market.
"The affiliate to full member route, which was introduced in 2024, is particularly suited to start-ups and businesses at an early stage in their growth trajectory as the eligibility criteria is less than for full membership.
"It enables a wider cross section of the merchanting sector to benefit from the different services and support NMBS offers – such as invoice rebate and preferential terms with over 500 leading building industry suppliers – and to effectively use NMBS as a springboard to further success.
NU Independent Wholesalers was formed in 2019 by gas engineer, James Cox. With the nearest merchant 26 miles away, he saw a gap in the market and wanted to offer trade professionals and DIY enthusiasts both an alternative and a more local choice.
Initially, the business focused on plumbing, heating, and electrical products that reflected Cox's professional experience, but it has since diversified to cater for a wider range of building and related needs.
NU Independent's journey from affiliate to full NMBS member took just 14 months. Helped by its NMBS affiliation, the business saw strong growth during this time. It also made major investments back into its operations.
This included relocating to larger premises and the creation of a dedicated bathroom showroom. This showroom has an emphasis on accessible living reflecting the older demographic of the population of Minehead and the surrounding area.
Cox said: "Without doubt becoming an NMBS affiliate has made sound commercial sense for Nu Independent. It has given us access to valuable support, expertise and events, as well as a larger pool of suppliers, more quickly and on better terms, than we would have achieved alone.
"In fact, it has accelerated our success and enabled us to surpass our own ambitious growth targets by at least two years. I would thoroughly recommend the NMBS affiliate to full member route to other growing or new merchants."
