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We're 100%
committed to
strengthening
independents

About NMBS

NMBS is the most successful Buying Society in the UK for Independent Builders, Plumbers, Hardware and Timber Merchants.

The primary aim of NMBS is to enable our members to get the best possible deal from suppliers through exclusive supplier offers and terms to independents via centralised purchasing, marketing and event activities.

Established 1963

NMBS was established over 50 years ago by just 12 Merchants, today there are over 1150 Merchant Members.

Profit Increase

Members enjoy an average benefit of approximately 4% in rebates by NMBS continuously negotiating better terms for them.

£8 Billion Combined Sales

The total turnover of all NMBS Members equates to £8 Billion

Become an NMBS Member

Become an NMBS Supplier

Become an NMBS Member Become an NMBS Supplier

Exclusive Supplier Deals

We specialise in offering exclusive supplier offers and terms to independents via centralised purchasing, marketing and event activities. We also speed up the invoice-to-payment process of manually processing invoiced and credits.

Payment Pledge

NMBS offers a payment pledge to guarantee bad debt and on-time payment for its members and have developed an exclusive online “Report Centre”, that gives both members and suppliers, 24-7 access to online accounts information and automated query resolution system.

Meet the Team

NMBS is here to help whatever your query.
If you are looking for a specific department or individual please use the below carousel, or if you are unsure call our switchboard on 0116 253 0531.

Our Mission

We are 100% committed to developing and strengthening independent merchants by constantly innovating and adding value at every opportunity.

Our Vision

We are 100% committed to increasing the profitability of all our members.

A Brief History

1963

NMBS (North Midlands Buying Society) is formed by 12 merchants from Nottingham, Leicester, Lincoln and Belper.

1964

John Tatton, NMBS’ ﬁrst employee is appointed due to rapid success and growth. John quickly became indispensible and stayed with NMBS for 28 years

1968

The ﬁrst ever NMBS Exhibition is held on 25th April at the Pennine Hotel in Derby.

1971

NMBS changes its name to National Merchant Buying Society as merchant numbers grow, with more members outside of the North Midlands than within in it.

1979

Quarterly rebates are introduced to increase beneﬁts to NMBS’ Members.

1984

Buyers guides are introduced, becoming the ‘go-to’ resource for independent merchants looking for the best deals and new products.

1994

NMBS introduces EDI trading solutions for our suppliers to start sending invoices and credit notes electronically.

1997

NMBS gains Investors in People status, which we have continued to maintain to this day, throughout periods of considerable change.

2001

A year of ﬁrsts, with the ﬁrst NMBS Conference, held in Edinburgh, and the launch of the ﬁrst NMBS website.

2006

The NMBS Report Centre is launched, providing our members and suppliers with 24-7 access to online accounts information.

2011

NMBS relocates to Merus Court, Leicester, with more space and better transport links.

2012

NMBS re-brands, taking on a new look and a new logo. The rebrand was driven by a desire to ensure our visual brand continued to reﬂect the evolving nature of the business.

2013

NMBS Celebrates 50 years of strengthening independents with a commemorative luncheon at the Guildhall, London.

2014

NMBS amalgamates with Unimer, increasing its supplier portfolio to over 600 suppliers and its membership to over 1000 merchants, on top of implementing a revolutionary new back ofﬁce system.

2015

NMBS highlight that they have more than 3000 branches, which is more than any PLC Merchant.

2016

NMBS achieves a record annual turnover of £1.5 Billion.

2017

NMBS re-designs it’s website to keep up with the rapidly advancing digital landscape.

NMBS really do champion the cause
of the Independent Merchant

John Levitt - J H Young

NMBS celebrates in style
at annual Dinner Dance

NMBS has maintained its track record of staging one of the biggest and best social events for the independent merchanting sector.

On 27th October 2018, the UK’s largest buying society for independent builders’, plumbing and heating, timber, and hardware merchants staged its annual Dinner Dance at the 5-star Grovesnor House Hotel in the heart of Mayfair, London.

Over 1000 guests representing the full spectrum of NMBS’ nationwide merchant membership and network of brand leading building industry suppliers attended the black-tie occasion for an evening of fine food, networking and first-rate entertainment.

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