Plumb centers worth visiting?

buck65

Hi all,

I have a building , DIY business and am branching into plumbing in a bigger way by opening a plumb center in the next few weeks. Where would you recommend to visit to see decent plumb centers for ideas on layout and product mix? I would travel to any part of the country.

We have been selling basic plumbing for years e.g rads, boilers, pipe, fittings but am looking to get into solar tubes, heating controls as well.

Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated. What would plumbers like their local store to stock that is hard to find etc?

Thanks in advance.

DGOBS

Think having trade counter staff that know their products (and our requirements) is key!

Micky Dolenz

You won't be short on getting knowledgable staff. As DGOBS says, staff that know thier 311s from 312s are a must.

Gas boiler parts, being able to get them quick if they aren't in stock is a big deal. Nobody likes sitting in a cold house.

Joey the lips

As said above you really need someone who knows there stuff. Most plumbers come in with lists in there head and staff need to find them quick. They also need to advise on stuff. For example if they order a certain shower valve will it be high pressure or low pressure. Then there is small things like suppling a imperial ring with an metric 22mm fitting that comes with the boiler.

Your in look however. Heatmerchants let go a load of good staff.

The one final thing you need from staff is to see when someone is in a hurry and small talk does not help.

Pigion holes are generally used for fittings. What we use to do is face all the additional stuff towards a plumber they might need but forget to order, For example


Wire wool/Solder/Flux/Oil watchmen/ fire valves./Tools/clips/screws/plugs the list can be long.

But then equally putting 310's furthest away from the counter is mad considering they are the most popular fitting.


There is also health and safety laws which have been implamented of late. For example. if a 310 is required 20 times a day it would be illegal to have it to low or 2 high. If a bottle of gas is required twice a day its illegal to have it impeading an exit. This is a long way of saying risk assements need to be carried out. This is not my ruleing. But this can actually decide the position of cubbies.

anthonyos

buck where you living

Jeju

buck65 wrote: »

Hi all,

We have been selling basic plumbing for years e.g rads, boilers, pipe, fittings but am looking to get into solar tubes, heating controls as well.

Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated. What would plumbers like their local store to stock that is hard to find etc?

Thanks in advance.

Anything to do with water conservation at present like syphons that will reduce the water usage in your cistern.
Pipe insulation coming into winter especially.
It might be an idea to have a small range of sanitary ware maybe a pallet of cisterns pans basins and peds and some brassware in the same economy range.
Solar is expensive to get into, do your research carefully maybe getting quotes from your competitors to see what they are charging and what margin you could make from your supplier. These things as I said are expensive and if one part gets broke or goes missing then thats your margin eaten into.
A good staff is vital, have one person who is has years of experience and possibaly who can bring a few plumbers into your business. He should be in charge of purchacing and as a goto for your staff for any extra advice.

buck65

anthonyos wrote: »

buck where you living

County Clare

buck65

We would already be selling the likes of the instantor fittings and circ pumps etc. Most of the staff would be able to deal with a plumbing list but we would usually be missing a few fittings or manifolds, expansion vessels, hi head pumps etc.
In fairness most of the suppliers would be willing to do a bit of staff training.