National merchant buying society

NMBS is a centralised buying society for independent merchants in the UK, including builders, timber, roofing, hardware, plumbing, heating, plastics, and engineering & industrial sectors. It aggregates purchasing power for its members to secure exclusive supplier offers and terms through centralised purchasing, marketing, and event activities. The society also speeds up the invoice-to-payment process for its members.

The society was established in 1963 and has grown to include over 1,300 merchant members and more than 4,900 branches. It claims to be the number one buying society for merchants in the UK with £2.3 billion in buying power. The primary aim is to enable members to get the best possible deal from suppliers.

Full NMBS membership requires a one-off fee of £2,500, a minimum company turnover of £750,000, a net worth of at least £50,000, a liquid ratio of 1.00, an acid ratio of 0.60, a minimum of 2 years trading, a trade counter, and stock holding. Affiliate membership costs an annual fee of £1,500 and requires a maximum of 3 years of membership, a turnover of £600,000, and a positive net worth.

Members benefit from an average rebate of 3.84% on all invoices processed via NMBS and access to over 450 supplier deals. They can also maintain their independence as a business while joining 1,250+ fellow shareholding members. The society provides digital platforms to source information needed to run businesses efficiently.

To become a supplier, businesses can visit the application page on the website. Suppliers gain access to 1,250+ merchants, the NMBS Exhibition, and cost-effective routes to the independent merchant market. They can also market their brand to 1,200+ members through marketing opportunities.

The society organises exclusive events such as the NMBS Exhibition on April 10th and 11th at Coventry Building Society Arena, a Gala Dinner on April 10th at the same venue, a Golf Day on June 18th at Woburn Golf Course, and a Dinner Dance on October 25th at Grosvenor House, London.

NMBS offers a payment pledge that guarantees bad debt and on-time payment for its members. They have developed an exclusive online 'Report Centre' providing 24-7 access to online accounts information and an automated query resolution system for both members and suppliers.

The society holds several certifications including ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 27001, and ISO 45001. It also adheres to a Modern Slavery Statement, an NMBS QCA Code Adoption, an Environmental Management Policy, and a Cookie Policy. A Disability Confident Certificate is also displayed on their profile.

The head office is located at 10 Merus Court, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1RJ. For navigation purposes, the postcode LE19 1LU is suggested for users with a Sat Nav. The telephone number for the switchboard is 0116 253 0531.

Some reviewers on Trustburn praise the friendly and helpful staff, noting that customer support is top-notch and the website is user-friendly. They also highlight the excellent quality of products and the smooth, efficient purchasing process.

The society claims to be the most successful buying society in the UK for builders, plumbers, hardware, timber, plastics, and engineering & industrial merchants. It differentiates itself by offering exclusive supplier offers and terms via centralised purchasing rather than just being a marketplace.

The website states that NMBS empowers and strengthens merchants by offering exclusive terms to add to their bottom line. It also provides a buyers guide, news, and supplier connections to help members make informed decisions.

The society claims to have over 1,200 merchants and 1,250+ fellow shareholding members. It also mentions having 500+ supplier deals and reaching 1,200+ members through marketing opportunities.

The official website of National merchant buying society is nmbs.co.uk.

On Trustburn, National merchant buying society has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 10 reviews.