pgb-Europe aims to further grow in the European market
Bolstering its local sales offices across the continent and with a deep portfolio of product, pgb-Europe is laying the groundwork for further growth…
pgb-Europe aims to further grow in the European market
Bolstering its local sales offices across the continent and with a deep portfolio of product, pgb-Europe is laying the groundwork for further growth…
Investing in personal customer contact
With good service, personal guidance and expert advice, pgb-Europe wants to further intensify the growth that has been initiated in recent years. "At the moment we have been expanding our teams in both the Netherlands and France," says Johannes Heye, product manager and member of the board. “This allows us to keep close contact with our customers and build a long-term relationship with them.
"Even in digital times, we really want to invest in personal contact with our customers and prospects. Also for our colleagues abroad, this gives more anchoring in their home market and a solid place to work.“
"Even in digital times, we really want to invest in personal contact with our customers and prospects. Also for our colleagues abroad, this gives more anchoring in their home market and a solid place to work."
Stock remains in Belgium
The branches will only house sales activities. “The stock will be kept in Belgium, in our central warehouse at pgb-Europe’s premises.” Recently, large investments have been made in the construction of a fully automated pallet warehouse with 15,000 pallet spaces. Heye says: “We also have an automatic picking warehouse with 40,000 tote locations. Each year, we receive 900 containers of fasteners and fixings and ship out more than 1,400 tons per month to customers worldwide.”
"Large investments have been made in the construction of a fully automated pallet warehouse with 15,000 pallet spaces."
"Each year, we receive 900 containers of fasteners and fixings and ship out more than 1,400 tons per month to customers worldwide."
Working with local partners
Pgb-Europe prides itself on a fast and reliable supply chain where customers can benefit from a wide range of products. “We offer solutions and packaging sizes for large quantities and smaller quantities. From blister packs for the DIY market to the large quantity boxes for heavy structures in construction projects.”
Heye emphasises that for large projects, pgb-Europe prefers to work with local partners. “We prefer to work through retailers or with our established partners. When it comes to large projects or specialty jobs, they have the contacts. We can advise and think along with them. This is one of the fundaments for a long-term cooperation”
"During the difficult Corona pandemic, there was a considerable growth of our customer base because a lot of companies were looking for alternative suppliers for fasteners."
The formula
The customer base of pgb-Europe consists of specialised hardware stores, DIY stores and wholesalers. “We focus on the group just below the largest wholesale chains. Given the continuous growth of pgb-Europe in recent years, this choice has proven to be very profitable for our company.
“Both in terms of turnover and in the number of new customers that are welcomed every year – and even during the difficult Corona pandemic – there was a considerable growth of our customer base because a lot of companies were looking for alternative suppliers for fasteners.”
"Thanks to our own production plants in Poland and Vietnam, pgb-Europe has been able to avoid the shortages to some degree and has always been able to deliver when needed."
Own production
For over a year now, product availability has been under severe pressure due to the effects of the Corona pandemic and raw material shortages. The problems are particularly serious in Asia. “Partly because of this, entrepreneurs are looking for suppliers that can guarantee a steady supply of fasteners. Thanks to our own production plants in Poland and Vietnam, pgb-Europe has been able to avoid the shortages to some degree and has always been able to deliver when needed.”
In Poland, pgb-Europe produces nylon anchors and in its joint-venture factory in Vietnam, our PFS and HAPAX chipboard screws are made. “These in-house production options make us more flexible than competitors who rely on purchasing from third parties because we closely control it ourselves,” says Heye.
"Our success could never have been possible without the tremendous effort of our employees. Therefore our gratitude goes out to our colleagues, who have shown a lot of flexibility in the last years."
One-stop shop
Thanks to the broad orientation of pgb-Europe, the company still showed above-average positive figures for 2021. Heye: “We achieved an enormous increase in turnover and numbers last year plus the first quarter of 2022 was also exceptionally successful.
"We owe this in part to the depth of our portfolio. From fasteners, different types of structural bolts, wood and drywall screws, specialized Hapax screws, different aesthetic options for decking and a full range of anchors under the Smart brand name... pgb-Europe presents itself as a “one-stop shop” for all types of fasteners. With that, we are not dependent on one product group and always remain flexible. Also, for special items, made on drawing, customers can rely on our expertise.”
In addition, this broad focus makes pgb-Europe an interesting partner for different types of customers. “For a small retailer or specialist, who can easily expand his range of hand tools in addition to fasteners with us, for example. And for the large companies where we can quickly and efficiently deliver large quantities. In this way, we can provide a wide range of customers with customised products.”
"Secondly, there is the high grade of digitalisation that we have implemented during the past years and we are still challenging ourselves to improve those processes and keep on track with new technologies.
"And last but not least, our success could never have been possible without the tremendous effort of our employees. Therefore our gratitude goes out to our colleagues, who have shown a lot of flexibility in the last years."
As a manufacturer and wholesaler, Heye looks to the future of pgb-Europe with mixed feelings. “Stock has really become essential in recent years, especially for the construction market. Stock, alongside continuity and a high service level have gained importance. However, the current price increases are putting a lot of pressure on the whole chain and especially importers have not been spared. To absorb all those costs is not possible nor sustainable. Luckily, we have proven to be resilient. And this gives us good hopes for the future that both our employees and customers can rely on a strong company. To conclude, like everybody we sincerely hope that the market will stabilise in the coming period and that peace can return."
