German kitchen and bathroom buying group Der Kreis has launched a UK subsidiary.

German kitchen and bathroom buying group Der Kreis has launched a UK subsidiary, led by managing director Bill Miller, former sales and marketing director of Gorenje.

The Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group (KBBG) will offer preferential purchasing rates to independent kitchen specialists from its member manufacturers and suppliers.

Initially, the KBBG will concentrate on kitchen products and relevant specialists before moving onto bathrooms.

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Bill Miller commented on the launch: “We feel this is the ideal time to bring the buying group to the UK. The market has been in turmoil with kitchen and bathroom specialists enduring the toughest economic conditions for decades.

“Our aim is to exclusively support kitchen specialists by working together with Europe’s leading kitchen furniture and appliance brands. We are able to offer the best possible buying terms for our members in order to build a strong, healthy and sustainable specialist sector.”

He continued: “We will offer great value, introduce new suppliers, new ideas and support (from education and training to central payment initiatives) to the UK market.”

The owner of Der Kreis, Ernst-Martin Schaible said: “bill’s strong background and extensive industry relationships are invaluable. His understanding of the independents’ business is instrumental in developing the organisation in the UK, supporting and preserving the independence of retailers for the future.”