Posted by Richard Strange on Mon, Aug 08, 2011 @ 09:37 AM
Network Group, the UK’s premier IT buying group for IT resellers and retailers has today awarded Micro-P, a leading retail distributor in the UK, the prestigious accolade of Preferred Distributor Status. With immediate effect the Network Group will gain direct access to over 20,000 products from a portfolio of more than 150 manufacturers working with Micro-P as well as access to specialist merchandising teams, website and ecommerce support, exclusive Network Group stock keeping units (SKU’s), emerging technologies and credit facilities. The partnership will also enable the Network Group to work with additional distribution partners under the DCC plc group umbrella that includes Micro-P.
“Our decision to award Micro-P Preferred Distributor Status was brought on by increasing supply chain challenges caused by our “buck the trend” growth of 36% in FY09 and 25% in FY10. This led us to consider signing another preferred distributor to meet those challenges,” said Wayne Cockerill, Chairman, Network Group. “Micro-P took time to understand our organisation and their willingness to deliver a bespoke service that will benefit our entire membership base led us to award them this status.”
“We are delighted to have achieved Preferred Distributor Status within the Network Group,” said Gerry O’Keefe, Managing Director, Micro-P. “Micro-P has progressively become the UK’s distributor of choice which has seen us continuously expand our customer base. We are proud to add the Network Group, the UK’s Premier buying Group to our customer portfolio. The Network Group further cements our commitment to our vendors and resellers as we continually strive to provide a market-leading proposition, state-of-the-art distribution, a host of managed services and the highest levels of customer service and satisfaction at all times.”
“We have worked very closely with the Network Group to deliver a range of products, services and solutions that will most definitely be an advantage to their extensive membership database, said Mike Buley, Retail Sales Director, Micro-P. “We distribute and market over 20,000 IT products from more than 150 vendors. Our extensive range combined with our in-house team of market specialists will enable the Network Group and its members to get the very best in account management, the latest in cutting edge technology, bespoke solutions, breadth of product range and the best deals in the market.”
Micro-P will enjoy direct access to the extensive Network Group membership database as well as dynamic channel marketing initiatives, web marketing, regular vendor product and solutions briefings, training and events.
Posted by Richard Strange on Mon, Aug 08, 2011 @ 09:30 AM
The IT industry’s premier buying group, Network Group held their second annual Exhibition and Gala last Thursday, at the picturesque Savill Court Hotel in Windsor, and the event was even bigger and better than the inaugural event last year.
Around 30 vendors attended the afternoon exhibition and were able to speak to around 100 group members who attended during the day. Presentations were given to all the members by headline sponsors, Samsung, and new vendors who launched with the group at the event, Sweex, Compucover and Ilyama. Throughout the afternoon, dedicated focus groups were also held with Lenovo, Symantec and Samsung to both the Business to Business and Retail members.
Wayne Cockerill, Group Chairman and MD of Aindale said ‘The Gala is our flagship event and it’s great to have the support of so many of our partners. Of course, although we all had a great time and enjoyed the entertainment provided by Roy Walker at our evening awards, the day is all about building business. Members find the exhibition and networking invaluable to understand the opportunities in the market and vendors that worked hard to bring specific deals to the group on the day were able to maximise the occasion to get these across to the members.’
Certainly the importance of the event was echoed by vendors attending. Nick Taylor from Samsung, headline sponsors, said: ‘This was my first time attending a Network event and I am already looking forward to the next one. The structure of the day was excellent, the attendance was great and the entertainment was unforgettable!
Samsung’s commitment to this event is a sign of our intent to work very closely with the Network Group moving forward, a great way to kick start our preferred vendor status for 2011.’ David Saab from Sweex concurred: ‘It was the best show I have EVER been to, in my 20 years in the industry in terms of number and quality of commercial conversations. Plus it was so much fun, so thank you for the wonderful entertainment.’ Jon Atherton, from EntaTech one of the preferred Distributors to the group summed it up by saying: ‘A great event once again, well organised, good networking.’
Awards were presented by a number of partners for members, vendors and distributors alike. The Best B2B Reseller was won by Total Computing, and Best Independent Retailer by Sevenoaks Computing and the Special Recognition award went to Richard Gandy from Computer Cavern.
The Best Vendor award was picked up by Epson, Best Vendor Account Manager by Dean Simpson of Microsoft, and Personality of the Year by Simon Doe. Best Distribution Account Manager was awarded to Carl Simmonds from Westcoast and Ingram Micro scooped the Best Distributor award. A full list of partners presenting the awards and the winners is attached.
Group MD, Phylip Morgan said ‘The Gala is a key highlight of the year for the Group and it’s really gratifying to get the feedback from members and vendors alike that they find the event so valuable. In these competitive days of measured return on investment, it’s hard to find equivalent opportunities to pull together like minded people all focused on a single goal of increasing business and margin for themselves and their partners. Needless to say, we are already planning our event for next year!’
Posted by Richard Strange on Mon, Aug 08, 2011 @ 09:21 AM
Network Group are demonstrating their commitment to improving the terms offered to their members in 2011 and awarded Toshiba “Preferred Vendor Status” at the Network Group event last month in Milton Keynes. They were presented with their Preferred Vendor certificate by Group Chairman, Wayne Cockerill in front of all the members. Attaining Preferred Vendor status demonstrates that a vendor has worked hard by putting in place preferential terms, focussed account management and product delivery.
Speaking at the event, Cockerill said: ‘We’re delighted to be working with Toshiba. They have some real strengths to offer in the laptop market, and most importantly have worked hard with the group to ensure that members have the support and pricing they need to maximise the opportunities in the SMB marketplace.’
Business to Business Director, Neil Bramley of Toshiba said: ‘Toshiba is delighted to be in partnership with Network Group and believes that there is a great opportunity to work closely with the members in developing and delivering complimentary business. We look forward to a strong and successful partnership.’
Group MD, Phylip Morgan explained the drive to engage with new vendors, saying ‘At Network Group we recognise the need to be at the forefront of the industry and be able to offer the best new products at the most competitive prices. We’re delighted that Toshiba see the value in collaborating with Network Group and we’re very confident they will soon also be seeing the results!’
Toshiba’s products and services will be available through the end user web stores in place with the membership and the launch will be supported by end user email and web marketing, as well as inclusion in the monthly retail publication which goes out to end users.
Posted by Richard Strange on Sun, Jan 16, 2011 @ 06:56 AM
NBG, now known as Network Group, are kicking off 2011 with a clear message to the industry that this will be a landmark year for the UK’s premier IT buying group, with an exciting rebrand.
The rebrand not only encompasses a more modern and stylish visual identity, but clearly shows how the group has moved on, developed and is planning to ensure that they continue to lead the way for successful VARs and independent retailers in the IT channel.
The strapline ‘Strength in Numbers’ is explained by Network Group Chairman, Wayne Cockerill: ‘It reflects not only the Group’s heritage in the channel, but also demonstrates our commitment to working together in a collaborative way to drive sales and profit for our members, as well as ensuring we give our resellers a strong voice in the channel.’
The rebrand was the first step in a new marketing strategy, introduced by new Head of Marketing for the group, Gemma Telford, who joined in November from UK distribution giant, Ingram Micro. She explained ‘We wanted to not just update the corporate identity, but ensure that it reflected the value the group brings to the channel and our members. The strapline and ‘huddle’ of circles demonstrates that by working together to innovate and collaborate, we can accelerate the growth of our members and the group, which also benefits our vendor and distributor partners. We also wanted to develop an identity which could extend out to end users and eventually form a national, end user focused brand.’
Group MD, Phylip Morgan explained the name change, saying ‘By dropping the ‘Buying’ from the group name, we are making it clear that we are emphasising the range of support that we give to members, across marketing, sales and collaboration in addition to our key strength of purchasing for the group. Although of course this remains a core focus for us, we now also have a range of business tools to support our members and a strategy in place that delivers results.’
As well as quarterly campaigns and incentives that are in place with key vendors, Network Group members now have the ability to get access to their own branded e-commerce website that takes in live feeds from Network Group’s distributors, giving the latest stock information, and live pricing and deals, and an email tool which can send out marketing messages to resellers’ databases from vendors or from the resellers themselves.
Phylip Morgan went on to say ‘We have more innovation in key areas such as Cloud also coming to members this year, and 2011 will see our membership grow to 100 of the country’s top resellers and retailers. We want to attract the best of the IT channel to our Group to ensure our proposition is not weakened and that we can deliver the best results for our members and channel partners. We’re conscious that there are other groups out there with a wider membership base, but we, and our vendors are interested in quality, not quantity.’
About Network Group
Network Group is the UK’s Premier IT Buying Group for IT Resellers and Retailers. The group provides purchasing, sales, marketing and networking services to its members. The group currently has over 50 resellers in key geographical areas of the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands. Group turnover is now approaching £200m. For more details visit www.nbg.co.uk
Posted by Richard Strange on Mon, Nov 22, 2010 @ 11:45 AM
Network Group has created a new strategic role with the appointment of a Head of Marketing.
Gemma Telford, until recently Head of Marketing for UK distribution giant, Ingram Micro, will be working with the Network Group Executive to design and deliver a marketing strategy. She says: ‘This is a really exciting new role and I’m delighted to be working with the UK’s premier IT buying group. Network Group are already widely recognised as leaders in their field, and this new commitment to marketing will support and strengthen members’ businesses even further.
“I’ll be building on the strong vendor relationships I already have in the channel to develop campaigns that drive sales and profitability into the group, its members and the vendors.’
Wayne Cockerill, Group Chairman of Network Group, said: ‘This has been an exciting year for Network Group as we have continued with our ambitious growth plans. The addition of Gemma to our team is further evidence of the success of Network Group in what has been a difficult year for the channel. The foundation is now laid for an even more successful 2011.’
Much of Network Group’s marketing effort to date has been overseen by Managing Director, Phylip Morgan, who said: ‘I’m delighted that Gemma has joined our team and can’t wait to have her bring her talents, skills and knowledge to bear on our marketing plans. She is well respected in the industry for her work and she will undoubtedly be a great asset to the group.’
Network Group is the UK’s premier IT buying group for IT resellers and retailers. The group provides purchasing, sales, marketing and network services to its members. It currently has over 50 resellers in key geographical areas of the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands. Group turnover is now approaching £200m.