QF + presents its new project of cooperative
At the beginning of May this year Cifec and Cofac merged creating a new cooperative: Quality hardware Plus, SCCL (QF +). After a few months of joint operation, and after implementing all necessary processes (including a change of ERP), at the end of June, presented formally to suppliers and press its new cooperative project.
Thus, Fernando Bautista, Manager, Jaume Cladellas, Deputy, Pau Naharro, sales and marketing director, and Joan Luque, director of sales, reviewed the major changes and commercial strategies of QF +. Juan Muñoz, Manager of NCC accompanied them:
One of the keys in this new project, as it cannot be otherwise, focus on the project to the client, "do 'pull', analyze the client's needs and go backwards in the process," they explained.
From left to right: Juan Luque, director of sales, Pau Naharro, director sales and marketing, Jaume Cladellas, Assistant management, Fernando Bautista, Manager, and Juan Muñoz, Manager of NCC, during the presentation.
A store of proximity
A new project brings with it changes of organization and, among them, "generate linear by category and not by suppliers as usual", thinking of all of the partners. "It is not worth doing so as usual but it should be based on profitability, generate economies of scale and become a store of proximity".
Own brands
QF + will continue to have own brands unless they pose competition to the products of the partners "since they occupy a specific position within the range of the cooperative". In the opinion of representatives of QF +, own brands represent a value to differentiate itself, from the point of view of the cooperative, loyalty partner. Also arise "reduce the number of outsiders who provide no and Yes general competition to other providers".
Yet within the new business strategy, global brands will disappear and marks shall be established by classified in categories:
- H2o sanitary and bathroom, plumbing
- Ferreplus: hardware in general
- CH3: drugstore and cleaning
- Kolorea: paints and painting accessories
- Sonedas: electrical equipment
- Ambit: decoration material and household items
- DRAKO: DIY tools
- Kylate: industrial supply
- Ironside: professional tools *
* Note:
Taking into account that Ironside is not actually a brand but a French multinational manufacturer.
During the presentation also they encouraged assistants providers to become potential manufacturers of products that will be marketed under these brands.
On the other hand, also announced that the brochures remain current, format and style only by changing the logo to bring QF + instead of Cifec or Cofac, keeping also the categories that NCC, central to which are QF +, is developing.
With an eye toward its two clients
QF + are clear that they are due to two distinct types of customers: the partner and the end customer. For this reason, and other initiatives, they want to continue carrying out more sessions between the cooperative and its suppliers. In addition, arise also increase the flow of customers, which will require improving the commercial image of the store, the signage of featured products, etc.
On the other hand, the project also includes training with suppliers to learn more and best products available, and reactivated in October the industrial group, under the banner Indugrup, which already existed in Cofac, designed especially for customers in industrial profile, with management and industrial aesthetic. The brand for this string is Kylate.
The model Cash
In Palma de Mallorca QF + it has reopened its Cash Centre with more than 3,000 references, giving service to 29 partners and with third-party access. It's a very particular model, most taking into account where it is located, such as explain the cooperative responsible for: 'Must know well the customer through the area where is located, with the majority of German customers and up to about 185 stores potential be'.
In addition, QF + also has own stores, one in Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona), and another in Esparreguera (Barcelona), both over 400 square meters of surface.
On the other hand, the expansion of the cooperative plan will be based mainly on increasing the number of partners, "without forgetting the empowerment of the franchises", as well as developing the formula for the Cash for tertiary clients. This expansion will be especially important in the South and centre of the Peninsula, the area of the Bay of Biscay, Balearic and Canary Islands.
New technologies
As it could not be otherwise, new technologies will play a key role in the new cooperative. On the one hand, the promotion of EDI to facilitate the electronic exchange of data, but also the development of a digital catalogue and give greater visibility to the NCC site.
In this regard, they noted that the digital catalogue is "gaining ground although it will never move to the store. "But to do this it is necessary to have a unique, interactive, database fair from any device and productive". This catalogue will develop prouectos provided by QF + but still pending to start.
As for NCC website, it will have an area of backoffice - everything is updated on this site is automatically updated Web QF + and, therefore, selling-points; includes brochures, a novelty, that will be synchronized with the digital catalogue and, therefore, constantly updated.
