Tradies are always being tempted by big box tool/supply retailers for their accessibility, simplicity and pricing.
However, the same things can be said for going independent, with the added knowledge that your money is going right back into your community.
That’s the reputation HBT National Buying Group has built since 1997.
You mightn’t know it, but HBT spans across Australia with 950 members, spanning 1,196 stores and 500 suppliers.
Wherever tradies see the HBT logo, they’re supporting the nation’s largest independent buying group.
Nurturing independence
When HBT CEO Greg Benstead joined the company in 2018, he learnt that unlike most businesses’ brands, HBT wasn’t about sales figures and profit margins.
“They [the founders] told me ‘that’s not what we’re about, Greg’ we’re about is getting a better deal for our members, because if they do better, we do better automatically.”
SEE MORE: Tradie Tough Tests
How then, does HBT grow by 40-50 stores per year?
Greg said this growth has been mostly organic via word-of-mouth through independent hardware stores and their appreciation of how HBT does business.
“We focus on ensuring member businesses are selling more supplies to help them more efficiently and assist them in finding the best Suppliers,” Greg added.
“Our members continue to buy products independently — they can choose who they use — the supplier reports to us the volume going through the group and pays us a small admin fee.
“Our members get 100 per cent of the rebates that HBT has negotiated, and that allows stores to sell very competitively.”
What’s in it for tradies?
One common perception of big box retailers is that they offer more competitive prices on tools, supplies, and materials.
Greg said not only can tradies get a better deal by going to an independent, but they will also receive better service and a wider range.
“The tradie needs to know that an independent – if they’re with HBT – are able to deliver a great price because they are part of a national group,” he said.
“The suppliers make sure the pricing we get is competitive.
“We often ask our members to do a comp check on the big guys – and often our pricing is even cheaper.”
Not only does going with HBT help customers’ bottom lines, it also feeds back into supporting local.
“Most tradies are doing local business in their communities,” Greg said.
“They’re building houses nearby, they’re fixing peoples’ plumbing – they’re doing what tradies do.
“Why not also support the local hardware store, because the money that goes through their stores stays in the community.
“It’s not going to corporate shareholders, which probably ends up overseas.”
Built nationally, backed locally
HBT is more than just a sign at your local independent.
It’s an indication that the hardware store is backed locally to provide tradies with fair dinkum service and competitive pricing that can mix it with the big box retailers.
