When it rains, it pours: Surface water management solutions

April used to be known for its showers, now though they appear year-round, meaning drainage products offer merchants increased sales opportunities. 

Linear channel drainage has become a staple of the builders merchant industry over recent decades. With an average rainfall of over one metre a year throughout the UK, it’s clear to see why products such as channel drainage are featuring more prominently within the industry and continue to be specified in most residential, commercial and industrial projects.

“Builders merchants will be familiar with domestic channel drains, it’s more than likely they are stock items. They probably sell without too much effort or the need for any specialist sales staff in branch and are very much a customer lead purchase decision,” says Joe Pugh, sales executive at EBP Building Products.

“They usually know if they want a slotted grate or a narrow pave-slot type. However, when it comes to the heavier loading classes where things get a bit more specialist, it can quickly become less familiar ground for branch staff. It’s no wonder with a myriad of factors to consider; which loading class? Which grates? Key features required? Dimensions? Hydraulic capacity?”

All this, Pugh says, can be a time consuming task for a non-specialist hoping to ‘quote confidently’ when a customer comes in with a construction drawing or bill of quantities.

“At today’s pace, when ‘today’s job needed to be done yesterday’, it’s imperative that you can provide your customer with the right solution quickly and without the hassle.

“Ultimately you want a happy customer, but sales and profit need to be right all helping you to stay in the game to get those repeat orders - which is what every business needs.

EBP Building Products is a channel drainage specialist offering a wide range of channels, grates and accessories starting from domestic (loading class A15) up to the heavy-duty industrial channels (F900 class). There is also a wide range of accessories which complement the range and can supply full systems where required.

“As a UK distribution partner for ULMA Architectural and whilst also manufacturing their own domestic range, EBP can offer a wide range of quality channel drains to branch or direct to site from our UK distribution centre in Blackburn, Lancashire, to anywhere in the UK and Ireland,” Pugh continues.

“Our core business has been built on decades of working closely with independent merchants to provide them with the products and support they need to win business and help them stay profitable. We make it our business to listen to customers and work together with them to get the right products for the right price with the right service.”

In addition, the technical sales service includes initiatives such as Optimal Drain powered by ULMA, with the ability to offer take-offs and hydraulic calculations for the projects where this may be required, usually the bigger projects with specifications.

Pugh adds: “It’s not all channel drainage though. Our diverse product range makes a competitive option for mixed pallets which allows the merchants to buy what they want in the quantities they want, presenting savings on carriage costs.”