The largest ever delivery for one of our partners has demonstrated the strength of our relationship with the growing independent merchant.
Over £320,000 of Armitage Shanks products arrived at BBS Plumbing and Heating Supplies in Bristol before being sent on to a major healthcare project in the Midlands.
The consignment is destined for Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (below), a £663m “super hospital” which is due to open to coincide with the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Located in Smethwick in the West Midlands, the project was originally set to open in 2018 but work was delayed for two years because of the collapse of the construction giant Carillion.
Key Account Manager Julian Williams said: “BBS are very strong in the healthcare and wider non-residential sector and their Managing Director Lee Hooper has a strong relationship with Tim Chappell and his team.
“BBS are a PHG member and have shown significant year on year sales growth over the past few years. Their total company sales with us this year will be in excess of £2m.”
Here, Rachael Fox, Senior Healthcare Estimator at BBS, tells us how the project unfolded from her point of view.
“This year has been the toughest we’ve faced in many ways.
“Both merchants and suppliers have faced many challenges over the last few months, but we continue to battle though and work even harder than before. The light at the end of what seems to be a never-ending tunnel was working alongside Armitage Shanks to secure the largest single delivery of sanitaryware BBS have ever had, a grand total of 473 back-to-wall pans, along with a multitude of other components, with more to come.
“This is but one project that we have worked on together this year, others including Nightingale Exeter, Whapping Wharf and many, many more.
“This has paved the way for independents in the market and has put BBS in a position that we could only have dreamed of many years ago.
“Thanks to the hard work, blossoming relationships and dedication from both Armitage and BBS, we are on path for a record-breaking year.
“Midland Metropolitan University Hospital is not only a monumental project we have put our blood sweat and tears into, but it’s also a personal triumph that cements the hard work of our late James Skuse, who spent many an hour rocking in his chair over such a project. We are thankful that our relationship with Armitage Shanks has grown and will no doubt continue to grow over the next few years.
“So it’s a thanks from us, for your continued support and never ending team dedication. We look forward to an even stronger relationship next year.”