MERCHANT NEWS
founding member of the plumbing and heating merchant buying group PHG has helped Beggs and Partners access the widest range of suppliers, providing a stock profile second to none. “PHG are a collective of independent plumbing and heating merchants, who have joined forces to innovate, source and design a select range of market leading products, branded as Instinct. Buying directly from manufacturers and working seamlessly with group members to provide a top quality, wrap-around supply chain. “As an independent business, this membership gives us a lot of strength, it aligns us with other similar businesses with whom we share knowledge and expertise, increasing our market intelligence and growing together.” DELAYED CELEBRATIONS A year of celebrations had been planned including customer offers and deals, but management took the decision to postpone the planned celebratory event marking 60 years trading until 2021. “We didn’t feel it was the right year to celebrate such a milestone anniversary,” says Richard. “But we are aiming for an even bigger celebration in 2021 of 60 + 1 years in business and also celebrating coming through the other side of covid-19 together with our customers, staff and suppliers’’. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Nicola shares the belief that “even in uncertain times there are opportunities when you are strategic, strong and surefooted. During this time there has been a widely reported a return to home- grown brands and local supply, people are looking for a little bit of familiarity and with our long track record for quality and value, that has worked in our favour’’. “We’re always looking for opportunities to grow, to do things better and the future will be bright for Beggs and Partners” Richard concludes.
Meet Rory, Chris, Ben, Josh, Zak and Alex, just some of the apprentices who have come into Beggs & Partners in the last few years. They have all gained experience in different departments.
Pictured L-R Beggs Belfast, Zak Dawson, Robert Best, Manager and Phillip Shaw.
protective screens in place, as well as the use of facemasks. “During lockdown we carried out a ‘Pause and Reflect’ campaign on our social media channels, focusing on; projects that we have been involved with over the last few years, how the company has evolved and reflecting on some of the individuals who have helped make us the company we are. Some of our longest serving members of staff have been with us for 40 plus years and will retire, never having worked anywhere else. We know how rare that is now and are truly grateful for the strength and depth their service has given us. We are an independent family- owned and operated business and that sense of family can be felt throughout the company” explains Nicola. GROWING THE BRAND Continuing the great tradition of optimism displayed by William Beggs back in 1960, the bathroom, plumbing and heating firm hasn’t let a pandemic get in the way of their expansion plans. They opened a brand new branch in Cambridge and amalgamated four previously acquired stores located in the greater Essex area into the Beggs and Partners brand stable this year. “Our new branch in Cambridge had been planned for some time,” says Richard,
“and it opened right at the start of March, which was a bit of a difficult time to start. But once we got back after the lockdown the branch has forged ahead and is doing really well. We’re delighted with that.” “We acquired four Essex Plumbing and Heating branches two years ago, and this summer we successfully rebranded them as Beggs and Partners, these greater London branches give us a foothold in a great location’’ adds Nicola. Beggs and Partners are well known for the quality of their showrooms and refurbishments are a constant feature of operations. The Maghera showroom is being extended to add six new bays, the Grays branch showroom has just been renovated and Basildon is next in-line for refurbishment. “There is a constant cycle of refurbishment and updates throughout our branches,” says Nicola. “Pintrest and other social media platforms have heightened customers’ design expectations. We know how important it is to provide products that will match their expectations so we are constantly refreshing our showroom displays in-line with the latest trends.” PERFECT PARTNERS Providing customers with those trending products is a unique strength of Beggs and Partners. Almost 10-years as a
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Head Office: Beggs & Partners, Great Patrick Street, Belfast, BT1 2NX T: +44 (0) 28 9023 5791 E: info@beggsandpartners.com www.beggsandpartners.com
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