Independent electrical wholesaler KEW Electrical continues to deepen its reach into the west of England by unveiling a major branch in one of Britain’s top visitor destinations.
The Bath outlet comes hard on the heels of KEW unveiling its Gloucester site last November to add another piece in the jigsaw of regional coverage for the award-winning wholesaler.
Sited on the outskirts of the historic City in a completely upgraded and refitted 4,500 sq ft warehouse, the branch opened on 26 March amid keen expectation of KEW’s capability to meet local specialist requirements.
KEW’s 24th branch will serve a bespoke and discerning customer base in what is a tightly regulated region, Bath branch manager Dan Williams believes.
“We are the new electrical wholesaler on the block,” he says. “There’s been nothing fresh here in our sector for years and we are seeing heightened interest in us opening in the City. It’s a big statement for KEW to come to Bath.”
A lifelong electrical wholesaler, Dan, 49, returns to the heritage City after working in sales and regional management. “I’ve come back to do what I love doing, dealing face to face with customers and spending time with them to discuss their needs.”
Born and bred locally, Dan will impart his deep knowledge of the customer catchment in delivering tailored service geared to local demand.
“I enjoy close ties with the area and already know many of our customers well,” he says. “As an independent, KEW Electrical is able to work fast and flexibly to respond to their requirements. I’m eagerly looking forward to meeting old friends and making new ones.”
Accessing its Trowbridge distribution hub allows FEGIME UK member KEW to stretch into the South West, linking Bath with the Gloucester, Chippenham and Midsomer Norton branches to create a strong, vibrant and responsive support network, providing same-day deliveries, thanks to its free stock system.
“The M4 and M5 motorways are right on our doorstep,” adds Dan, “so we can fill a hole in supplying the region. “The move here makes perfect sense. We are on hand for local independent contractors and our role is to deliver daily service for them in a pleasant counter environment manned by knowledgeable staff.”
Bath is a huge tourist destination with few new-build projects as it is surrounded by green belt, Dan explains. “Much of the heavy engineering has gone now, so I see most of our business supplying contractors with products they need in the upkeep and refurbishment of hotels and other tourist properties and premises.”
He adds: “Our customer base comes to KEW for our depth of knowledge and experience and that’s key because end users such as business owners are now far wiser about what they need to maintain and upgrade their premises. This is a major opportunity to cement that philosophy.”
Widespread investment is also underway in refurbishing Bath’s many period properties by introducing modern technologies into them, Dan notes, “another opportunity for KEW to supply this specialist demand”.
In the drive to deliver service excellence, Dan’s hand-picked team of four is already utilising the Electrical Distributors Association’s training modules under KEW’s membership of the trade body.
“We have a strong accent on training across our branches,” he says, “and I’m keen to put in place a career development plan for the team and ensure they command good general understanding of the sector as well as specialist knowledge. With plenty of competition regionally, it strengthens our resilience against the bigger players.”
To officially mark the opening of the new branch, Dan is planning an event at the end of April or early May - “probably a trade show with suppliers and manufacturers on site with a little hospitality at a local venue afterwards.”
For more information visit www.kewelectrical.co.uk.