New Zealand’s first building supplies co-operative launched in Christchurch

Housing and Urban Development Minister Hon. Phil Twyford was joined by hundreds of invited guests today in Christchurch with local builder and the co-op Chairman of the Board, Carl Taylor.

Picture left to right: Mike Blackburn (CBScoop) , Trudy Atherton (Builders Base), Hon.Phil Twyford.

See Builders Base Facebook for launch photos

“This is a game-changer as Combined Building Supplies Co-operative (CBS Co-op) will enable small and medium construction companies to have the same buying power as the larger companies do,” he says. ”In the residential construction sector, most houses are built by small home building companies and yet they don’t have the ‘buying’ power the larger companies do. The CBS Coop levels the playing field enabling small and medium construction companies to be competitive and improve their margins which are currently pretty low.”

Taylor who has run his own successful building company for more than 20 years says the cooperative is the result of more than a year in the planning, already attracting co-op members with a combined building material spend of more than $100m, and a very strong group of suppliers.

“We will grow there is no doubt of that and word is spreading,” he says. “We’ve received calls from around the country in recent weeks and we will be rolling out nationwide and Canterbury is first,” he says.

To join the CBS Co-operative requires a shareholding investment of $1,000 ($500 for builders who join before 30 April). There are no other commitments, contingent liabilities and no annual fees or subscription.

“We’re very excited,” says Carl Taylor. “To have a level playing field for all builders when it comes to the price of building supplies is long overdue.”

Member suppliers of CBS Co-Op joined the launch in an expo-style event showing their support and commitment to the group.

YOUTUBE summary of launch – full video due soon. Contact Mike Blackburn for broadcast quality footage. [email protected]

Check out https://www.facebook.com/BuildersBase/

Source: Builders Base