MKM Building Supplies
Tue 12th August 2014
MKM Building Services was founded in Hull in October 1995, with five employees. The manager of the company’s Beverley branch on Swinemoor Lane, Andy Beet, was one of those initial five, and he has seen the company grow to now having 850 staff across 41 branches.
They are now the largest independent builders merchant in the UK and have won the Independent Builders Merchant of the Year award seven times in the last 11 years. The Beverley branch itself has recently celebrated its 10th year of trading.
Moving forward and continuing to grow has been key to the company’s success, and the development of its new interactive website is just an extension of the work done in store. The website allows customers to shop online and manage their own accounts, so they can see their own personal terms and agreed prices.
MKM is known for offering a more personal service than its national competitors. If they don’t have something in stock, they will always do their best to source that product and, if it is wanted on a regular basis, they will put it into stock so it is readily available.
Listening to what their customers want and proactively responding ensures MKM get repeat business from their satisfied client base. Despite currently supplying 90% of their products to the trade, a new showroom layout has been introduced to try to encourage more of the general public to come in.
Many of their trade customers come in every day to stock up, and are rewarded with knowledgeable staff and pricing that is seen to be competitive and fair. One of MKM’s main benefits is its staff. They pride themselves on employing the right people and the level of service received filters through the business, right from the top.
They have product specialists in all their key areas - building, timber and joinery, plumbing and bathrooms, and kitchen - which enables them to give the best possible service, as well as offering advice and professional know-how, to the customers.
MKM is continuing to grow and intends to open more branches and maintain its position as number one in the UK, whilst increasing its market share in the areas in which it is currently successfully operating.
