German retail services provider MHK Group has officially launched a rival buying group in the UK.
The group announced the move into the UK back in April last year, aimed to rival the likes of the KBBG and Sirius Kitchen Buying Group.
MHK claimed the buying group would be launched within two months of its announcement, but only started working with its first kitchen dealers on January 1, this year, it has revealed.
MHK Group already operates buying groups in seven major markets and has more than 2,650 retail members across Europe.
Managing director Marcel Crezee (pictured) claimed that the creation of the buying group in the UK aims to “strengthen the performance of specialist shops and to increase their return on investment”.
He added that MHK Group acts as a powerful partner for both trade and the industry as it can ensure its partners can buy products at the best prices, thanks to joint purchases being made by all partners.
The buying group also supports its members with services related to marketing, the internet and business management.
“We are convinced that we can provide important support to companies in the UK and ensure that returns increase,” said Crezee.
MHK has also announced a new sales director, Paul Wheeler, who joined the UK arm on February 1.
Wheeler has been a part of the kitchen industry for the past 11 years and spent 12 months as regional director and subsequently managing director of Alno US.
More recently, he was a consultant for franchise kitchen systems in the UK.
MHK Group will also be attending kbb Birmingham [Stand N115] next month for the first time.