From the concrete for the foundations to the finishing touches to the new kitchen, Hevey provides the knowledge and the materials to ensure construction sector has everything it needs.
Founded in Northamptonshire more than 20 years ago, Hevey has retained its focus on serving a local market, while at the same time gaining a reputation in the industry that is up there with some major national names.
With its headquarters in Moulton Park in Northampton and branches in Kettering, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, Hevey stocks more than 15,000 products ranging from building materials, timber, joinery, plumbing and electrical items through to specialist ironmongery and kitchens. The product range is backed up by expert advice and excellent customer service from the start of a project through to completion.
Sales Director Mick McGuckin, one of the company’s original team, said:
“We started at a farm in Slapton near Towcester in 2001 with seven employees. We’ve grown since then and now employ around 150 employees across our sites, but we are still proud to be a local company and part of the local
business community.“We regularly work with decision makers from local developers and national housebuilders but we’re also very strong in the white van market and general retail – self-builds and DIY customers.”
Years of experience in the sector means the Hevey team provides a wealth of knowledge to customers, working closely with manufacturers to understand the materials and products available, and providing project managers with information they need about anything from the lead-in time for brick deliveries to what new doors, windows and kitchen appliances are available and proving popular.
The cost-of-living crisis and cooling of the property market has had an inevitable impact across the industry over the past couple of quarters. Whereas 2022 was buoyant, the signs now are that uncertainty about interest and mortgage rates make take a few months to overcome.
“It’s a difficult time for everyone, but we’re seeing unprecedented price rises at the moment. This is a very old-fashioned industry in many ways and we’d traditionally see one round of price rises a year, but that’s changing. Costs are inevitably rising – bricks, for instance, need a lot of gas in production – and while the manufacturers are looking at other processes long term, we have to accept there are going to be increases. And, of course, this is all coming on the back of materials shortages in the aftermath of the pandemic, so it’s been a challenging time for everyone in construction.
“That said, the repairs and maintenance market remains strong and tends to exist no matter what is happening in the wider economy, so this offers a good buffer.”
Describing Hevey’s approach to its customers, Mick said:
“We’ve always said we want to be best-in-class for customer service. This business is built on relationships, and with our long-term contacts in the sector, we do our best, and try to get the best price coupled with exceptional service for our customers.
“We like to be involved as soon as the drawings are available – and expert advice can then help keep costs down. For example, our guidance on ordering times can ensure materials are available when they’re needed, and our specialist knowledge of products allow us to find savings or identify an issue that the customer hasn’t noticed. It all helps our customers deliver their projects on time and on budget, which in turn builds trust with us.”
Hevey is proud to be a member of the Builders Merchants Federation, a trade organisation that offers training and development and business support to merchants and suppliers. Hevey supports its employees through training courses and personal development that builds their understanding of the business, which in turn can be passed on to customers.
Mick added:
“Hevey isn’t just about selling products. We’re proud to be a part of the Northamptonshire business network and we want to put something back. We invest in developing our teams, whether that’s our colleagues out in the field or the team in the showrooms. It has been great to see Kias Naanaa promoted from Yardman to Warehouse Supervisor at Moulton Park and Stuart Deadman, who started in the yard at Huntingdon Timber, is soon to become branch manager at Kettering. We also invite manufacturers in to train staff about their products and answer any questions they might have.
“We like to get involved in the community, supporting charities and sports teams from county level down to grassroots. Examples include Stillmen Football Club, which was formed to help adults with mental health issues, through to St Ives FC. Essentially, we serve and support the local area.
“People often see our name and think we’re a large, national company, that’s the impression we give, but being local is still very important to us.”
Find out more about Hevey on 01604 961333 or visit www.hevey.co.uk
