A boost for the retail building industry

The Building Company (TBCo) hosted its biggest General Building Material (GBM) trade show recently at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

The trade show, hosted by TBCo’s most prominent GBM brands, Buco and Timbercity, brought together suppliers, buyers and store managers from across the country to showcase the latest industry innovations and cemented the company’s role as a trusted and preferred industry partner. Over 100 suppliers attended TBCo’s most successful trade show to date. The event had to be moved to a larger venue after exhibitor capacity was exceeded at the prior venue. It was an excellent opportunity to showcase new products and technologies with the trade show serving as a merchandise innovation ‘think tank’, where new ways of merchandising were presented.

Vibrant conversations

Among the themes covered were creating displays for target customers; why specific signage is now vital, and why sales team knowledge can make or break a brand. This tied in well with the trade show’s theme of ‘Vibrancy’. Effective display of goods in the hyper-competitive post-Covid landscape has become a critical sales tool where time-pressed consumers need easy and instant access to what they are looking for in a store environment that is both welcoming and easy to navigate.

Focus on technology

The event also used technology to its advantage. Suppliers and delegates were given access to an app where live interaction with all delegates was facilitated. They could livestream the event, post pictures and videos and participate in competition polls. This clever use of technology encouraged participants to move through the space using the app, to share details thereby forming relationships and strategic partnerships to enhance the delegates’ networking experience.

A true success

“This trade show truly exceeded our expectations. It embodied our business philosophy of building strong, strategic partnerships and symbiotic relationships with our suppliers so that they share in the company’s growth and success,” says company CEO, Steve Du Toit. “Even though the trade show was a full day, we feel as if we wanted much more time to network, brainstorm and share

innovative ideas. All in all, I think participants left feeling energised and excited with a vibrancy that fuels the kind of innovation that the industry needs,” he adds.

Merchandise executive Stuart Jowett opened the trade show stressing the importance of how success in the industry is predicated on creative solutions and nimble thinking. “We know that the majority of customers that buy from us do so to make a living, but we are also building the capability to service our DIY customers. Through effective partnerships and by leveraging new technologies, processes, products, and solutions, we can make our operations more efficient and improve added value to our customers.”

Dinner and prize-giving

Following the trade show, TBCo hosted a supplier dinner to thank and recognise their suppliers. The suppliers who won awards were PPC Cement, Duram, Academy Brushware, Stevens & Co, IB McIntyre & Co, Vermont Sales, Handyman, Bostik South Africa, PG Bison, Kwikbuild Cement, Swartland, Safe Door, Ryobi and Plascon.

At the supplier dinner, John Stevens of Ryobi delivered an address on behalf of the suppliers: “We would like to extend a big thank you to Buco and Timbercity for hosting a phenomenal event. This has been one of the better Expos we have participated in, in a while. The interaction with the delegates were particularly good. We believe that this is a great business to get behind based on their commitment to growth.”

Company updates

The following day TBCo hosted another successful event which was their Annual Conference. Attendance was in excess of 250 delegates and included a company update from Steve Du Toit and Pepkor’s COO, Sean Cardinaal, as well as overviews from key operating units within the company. “The success of these events, which I believe is the best we’ve ever held, truly highlights the ways in which Buco and Timbercity are growing and finding ways to do things bigger and better,” says Steve.

A special thanks to the Platinum Suppliers at the Trade Show: Academy Brushware, Hamilton Brushware, Dulux, Duram, Plascon, IB McIntyre, Steven & Co, Vermont Sales, PG Bison, Safedor, Eco Rubber, Eureka DIY, Eurolux and Matus.