Ridgeons, the East of England’s leading independent timber and builders’ merchants, has won two BMN (Builders’ Merchants News) Awards in recognition of its specialist heating and plumbing brand, PlumbStock, and its flagship Saffron Walden branch Showroom in Essex.
Ridgeons’ Director of Merchants Cambridge and PlumbStock, Hugh Guntrip, and Head of Merchants South, Darren Tobyn, were presented with the awards for Heating and Plumbing Merchant of the Year and Showroom of the Year by Joanna Lumley at the event on Friday 24th November at the London Hilton Hotel.
The award for Heating and Plumbing Merchant of the Year went to PlumbStock for its successful marketing launch and creating a brand that appeals to customers’ needs.
Ridgeons invested in PlumbStock to provide customers with a local independent heating and plumbing merchant with strong values to deliver across the East of England. It now has 22 PlumbStock stores consisting of eight standalone branches and 14 box in box businesses at existing Ridgeons’ branches.
As a result of the expansion, the company’s plumbing and heating sales increased group- wide by over 50% in the first half of 2017.
Showroom of the Year was awarded to Ridgeons’ showroom at its Saffron Walden branch. Opened in January 2017, the extensive kitchen and bathroom showroom was part of a £7 million investment in a complete re-design and refurbishment of the branch site.
The aim of the showroom was to position the branch as the first choice for local trade customers. Ridgeons also wanted to attract more retail customers who would not normally choose a builders’ merchant to buy a kitchen or bathroom.
The revamp was carried out following extensive market research; the outcome is an attractive, light, spacious showroom in line with Ridgeons’ vision to offer a friendly environment to customers, showcasing a combination of kitchens, bathrooms, tiling and flooring, sourced from a variety of suppliers.
Since the renovation, showroom sales at the branch have improved by 34% YTD, with increased sales on both trade and retail purchases, with the split between both being 70% and 30% respectively.
Ian Northen, CEO of Ridgeon Group, said: “We are thrilled to have won two BMN Awards in such a thriving, competitive industry. Our success provides industry-wide recognition that our investments in the business are leading to very positive results.
“These accolades come at a time of exciting change for Ridgeons, as we further develop the Ridgeons and PlumbStock brands. We are currently investing in a major refurbishment of our Nuffield Road branch in Cambridge, including opening a new PlumbStock box in box and new Kitchen and Bathroom Showroom in January. In the spring of 2018 we will open a new flagship branch in Norman Way in Cambridge before closing the existing Cromwell Road branch. We are looking forward to a very exciting 2018 for the Ridgeon Group.”
Ridgeon Group was also shortlisted for BMN awards for Training Initiative of the Year, Branch Manager of the Year, and Achiever of the Year.