Ideal Standard has been chosen as supplier of the year by one of the UK’s biggest merchant groups after a huge effort to improve the customer relationship.
Our team walked away with the top award from the Highbourne Group Supplier Awards – beating one of our main competitors to the title – after being shortlisted for three of the seven trophies.
It follows a lot of work across the business to improve our relationship with the group, especially the merchant City Plumbing, which has 370 branches nationwide.
National Account Manager Liam Pryszlak said: ‘’We have worked very hard to turn the relationship around. Two years ago, it wasn’t in the greatest place and the business partnership was very transactional.
“We have worked hard to build relationships from top to bottom across the Highbourne Group and City Plumbing, from head office and category teams to relationships in the field with external sales team members."
Liam (pictured above, left) added: “We are now at a point where a true partnership is being built with aligned strategies and lots of opportunity for growth.
“We were however still very surprised by the Supplier of the Year award, and not only that we were nominated in two other categories as well!"
Head of Trade Alex Hooley (pictured above, right) said: “This award is recognition of the hard work Liam has put in over the last two years and dedication to developing the relationship at all levels within.
“It’s been a real team effort across many different business functions and I’d also like to extend a big thank you to everyone who has interaction with City Plumbing and has given their time to the customer, particularly marketing, supply chain, internal and external sales.
“The contributions made here certainly contributed to our award.”