A new strategy

Euro-Mat, an association of European builders’ merchants, has gained a further member. The British Group NMBS National Merchant Buying Association, with external sales of about € 8 bn, takes over the membership of the CBA Combined Buying Association and joins Euro-Mat. Additionally the Swedish Interpares Group has announced the merger with the XL-Bygg Group (€ 700 mio external sales), which should be finalised by 2016. With the joining of NMBS the overall turnover, represented by the current 21 Euro-Mat members, increases to around € 34 bn. This information was given by CEO of Euro-Mat, Lucien Hardt, at the three day Suppliers Forum in Palma de Mallorca.
Euro-Mat commemorated its 25th anniversary at this event, with approximately 150 participants. Founded in 1989 through the initiative of Swiss, Luxembourgian and German builders’ merchants, the European builders’ and timber merchants’ cooperation is represented by its members’ organisation in 24 countries. The largest Euro-Mat member is Germany’s Euro-baustoff which is very active in the cooperation. At the moment talks are being held with further potential new members in Slovakia, Estonia and Latvia.
Suppliers value the working relationship with Euro-Mat and events such as the Forum. “We can look back proudly on a partnership with Euro-Mat extending over decades,” says Klaus Fischer, proprietor and board chairman of the Fischer group of companies. “I am pleased that Fischer has been able to contribute to the ongoing success and growth of the last few years. A partnership that has always been open and professional has developed over the years into a close bond with Euro-Mat. We look forward to further close collaboration in gearing ourselves to the future and to the new requirements of our customers, and in continuing to develop the Euro-Mat success story for many years to come.”
Marko Römpp, general manager of Apolo Mea Befestigungssysteme, also has a very positive view of the collaboration. “Every year the Euro-Mat Forum offers a superb communication platform on an equal footing between buying cooperatives and suppliers,” he says. “The talks at European level are uniquely efficient and can scarcely be surpassed in terms of the informal atmosphere.”
At the meeting in Palma, the members also discussed the new strategy developed by their central office. This is based on greater efforts to acquire “market intelligence” with specific information provided by all members. On this basis the central office will…