SBS expands Scotland coverage
After the successful opening of SBS Glasgow in 2020, Smith Brothers are delighted to expand further into Scotland with a new branch in Dundee due to open in Q2 2023.
SBS Regional Manager, Iain Mills said, “Having two branches in Scotland that are strategically and geographically located will allow us to offer next-day delivery to most parts of Scotland!”
SBS Dundee
SBS Dundee’s 35,000+ sq. ft. unit is located within Claverhouse Industrial Park on Charles Bowman Avenue. It is situated on the north side of Dundee and is adjacent to the A90, a dual carriageway that runs from Dundee to Aberdeen.
Whilst preparation works are well underway, the team are already in the field servicing local customers with the help of SBS Glasgow.
Meet the team
SBS Dundee’s team has been specially selected, with each member possessing an excellent reputation and knowledge of the area.
Grant Purdom
Branch Manager
Grant has worked in the merchant distribution sector since 1990 when he kick-started his career at Brown & Tawse, where he held various positions, from Internal Sales, Sales Office Supervisor, to Deputy Manager. In 1996, when Wolseley Pipe Centre acquired Brown & Tawse, he further progressed in his role to become Branch Manager, Network Manager and finally a Senior Branch Manager for Wolseley Pipe and Climate Centre.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07442 613570
Andy Duguid
Area Sales Manager – Dundee, Fife and Perthshire
Andy started his career at Ashworths in 1993, in the warehouse and on the trade counter. He then transferred to work in Internal Sales and then as Sales Office Manager.
He then joined Wolseley Pipe Centre in 2011, where he began as a Branch Supervisor before being promoted to Area Sales Manager in 2014 and continued in this role until 2019.
Before joining SBS, he was employed at RWC as a Specification Manager.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07442 613479
Eric Watson
Area Sales Manager – Grampian, Angus and the Highlands
After a career in football, Eric joined BSS Aberdeen in 2010, working on the trade counter and in the warehouse. He then moved to work within Internal Sales and progressed further to become an Account Manager. He then transferred to BSS Dundee branch, working in the same role.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07881 339321
Jim Kelly
Distribution Manager
Jim has been working within the industry since 1981. He started his career at BSS where he spent 18 years in the roles of Warehouse Person, Warehouse Supervisor and Assistant Branch Manager.
From 2000 – 2011, Jim took a career change and joined Tayside Police as a Legal Document Server, working with Procurator Fiscals (PF).
He then embarked on a career with Wolseley Pipe Centre as a Warehouse Supervisor in 2011, progressing his career to Deputy Branch Manager, Wolseley Climate Sales Manager and Key Accounts Manager.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07442 613572
Exciting times are ahead for SBS Dundee
Grant explains his plans for SBS Dundee; “We aim to provide the North of Scotland with the high level of service it deserves. We are a team of dedicated professionals who want our customers to enjoy every interaction with the branch. We will offer customers the stock they want when they want it.”
Iain Mills said, “it is an exciting time to be part of SBS as we continue our growth plan. SBS Dundee’s unit is strategically placed geographically to service customers in Dundee, Aberdeen and the surrounding areas.”
He continued, “The branch is 35,000 sq. ft. and is situated on the north side of Dundee, making the branch adjacent to the A90 dual carriageway that runs through Dundee to Aberdeen.”
“We plan to open and start trading from the branch within the 2nd quarter and have employed the right team with the highest level of experience and knowledge that will allow us to offer the best-in-class customer service.”
SBS Glasgow – 2 years later
The early successes of SBS Glasgow have influenced the opening of an additional branch in Dundee. SBS Glasgow opened during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and has thrived ever since.
Budget
Despite the pandemic, SBS Glasgow exceeded their budget for their first trading year by just under 25%. In comparison, their 2022/23 budget is more than double the amount of their year one budget.
Staff members
In just two years, SBS Glasgow’s staffing numbers have tripled from 6 to 18, including a dedicated Air Conditioning specialist.
Fleet
In addition to their 3.5-tonne flat beds, SBS Glasgow now has an 18-tonne vehicle to cope with larger delivery runs. All vehicles are FORS Silver accredited.
Alterations
SBS Glasgow has recently installed a 2,500 sq. ft. mezzanine floor within their warehouse, helping to increase their product stock levels and profile at the branch.
Quotes from the Branch Manager & Regional Manager
Scott Gilmour, SBS Glasgow Branch Manager, said, “I would say the growth is down to having the correct internal and external sales teams. The knowledgeable team within the warehouse, the trade counter and the drivers are also integral to our success.”
He continued, “Having structures and systems in place for our internal staff members helps to price tenders, highlight priority projects and aids with customer communications every morning.”
Iain Mills said, “SBS Glasgow was the first branch in Scotland that started on the journey in 2020, with Scott Gilmour taking the reins as Branch Manager. Employing the right team with experience has seen the branch grow from strength to strength.”
He continued, “with the increased level of business over the past few years, we continue to invest in recruiting the right team members, along with increased stocks and commercial fleet, to ensure we offer best-in-class service.”
