SHOW_PREVIEW_Troy_TOR027_Sept18.qxp 14/09/2018 14:28 Page 1
SHOW PREVIEW TMB 2018
TROY STORY At its new time in October, the TMB show is a key date in the engineering distributor calendar. Ahead of the show, Torque takes stock on a busy 12 months for the buying group…
t’s been an eventful year for the Troy buying group, by any measure. The UK-based buying group of independent distributors has won awards, picked up new suppliers, recruited new key staff and - perhaps most significantly of all acquired a fellow buying group just a few months ago. Established in 1986, Troy currently has a varied network of 300 distributors with 400 locations across the UK and Ireland. 400 suppliers are now available to distributors throughout the group, facilitated by the Troy HQ in Barnstaple, Devon as well as the newly acquired THS HQ based in Rotherham. Supported nationally by business development and technical sales teams, the group continues to go from strength to strength. Aiming to support and grow market share for independent distributors, that roll call of suppliers has continued to grow in 2018, with new brands including Bostik, Castle Clothing, East Midland Saw & Tool (EMST), Weldability SIF and Tractel. Troy is also currently working hard to bring you direct deals with global PPE brands’ for 2019 so watch this space.
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But don’t just take our word that Troy is expanding. The business was named among the fastest growing South West businesses in the FG75 at the end of last year. Covering companies in Devon and Cornwall, this annual snapshot of the regional economy is put together by local paper Western Morning News. On the list, Troy UK Limited came in at number 60. NEW FACES AT TROY On the recruitment front, Troy UK has increased its Business Development Team with the introduction of Philomena McDermott (Phil) earlier this year, joining with a wealth of experience within industrial supplies having spent the last 20 years managing Scotland & Ireland for Monks and Crane as well as knowledge in key account management, securing major long term contracts within the industrial market. Troy has also recruited a new Purchasing Director, Ashley Collins, who has joined to improve supplier terms and product offering. Further key hires include PPE Category Specialist Wendy Perkins.
TROY ACQUIRES THS After months of negotiation, Troy UK officially acquired Rotherham based buying group THS in April. The significant deal created an independent buying group of substantial scale, assisting both organisations in creating further competitive advantage for their members in the combined challenge of competing with national rivals. Troy was keen to preserve the wellknown THS brand and maintain stability for its current membership base, so the staff team and its operations at the Head Office in Rotherham remain in place for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, rather than THS being simply consumed by Troy, changes to current practices at THS were promised to be subject to careful consideration by the Troy board of Directors. That said, THS Tools has become very much part of the family, now operating as a division of Troy UK Limited, the firm said. At the time, Troy UK CEO Paul Kilbride said: “Our philosophy has always been to invest strategically and responsibly. This exciting new chapter further reinforces our goal to attract the highest quality products and customer service at the best price for our valued membership, thus increasing our buying power to its optimum level. We are delighted to welcome THS to the Troy Group and look forward to prosper and grow for years to come.” SHOW BUSINESS TMB event is back at Silverstone, running over 18 October 2018. Many suppliers will be there, offering deals for the invite-only event. Pitched as the ideal platform for suppliers to meet decision makers in the membership, the event will no doubt be another typically busy show. Stay tuned to the official website for more info on the brands and show offers at www.tmb-show.co.uk