The James Hargreaves Group enhances its purchase-to-pay process with Wesupply

COVENTRY, 21st January 2015: Wesupply are pleased to announce that one of the UK’s leading plumbers merchants, the James Hargreaves Group, has chosen Wesupply’s EDI managed service, OneTime, to future proof its trading processes.
The James Hargreaves Group already had experience of the Wesupply service as a result of a joint EDI initiative carried out with one of its suppliers, Ideal Stelrad Group. Recognising the opportunity of establishing EDI connections with all of its major suppliers and the advantages that this would deliver, the James Hargreaves Group made the decision to roll out its own supplier-facing EDI initiative. The company was impressed by the service Wesupply delivered to Ideal Stelrad and subsequently chose to move to Wesupply’s established electronic trading network.

Simon Sharratt, IT Manager at the James Hargreaves Group, said: “As we continue to expand, we are always looking to further improve efficiency levels wherever and however possible and the advantages to be gained by trading electronically with our suppliers are very clear. Following a positive experience of trading via the Wesupply network, along with the reputation Wesupply have in the sector, the decision to partner with Wesupply was quite straightforward.”

OneTime will significantly enhance the James Hargreaves Group’s purchase to pay process, automating the exchange of orders and invoices with 200 of its key suppliers, including household names such as Polypipe, Roca, Pegler Yorkshire and Bristan. Suppliers will be offered two connectivity options – via a web portal or directly from their back office systems – catering for suppliers with differing levels of technical capabilities.

“We are delighted to have the James Hargreaves Group join the Wesupply network,” said Jerry Quinn, Sales Director at Wesupply. “The benefit of our fully managed service is that the James Hargreaves Group will be able to enjoy the rewards of electronic trading, whilst still focusing on its core business.”

About Wesupply

Wesupply provides a fully managed and outsourced electronic business-to-business integration service, using a unique approach that maximises supply chain collaboration between independent organisations. This approach has consistently helped our customers secure tangible operational cost savings along with improved customer service, since the business was founded in 1999. Companies across all industries, including Retail, Building, CPG, Energy and Manufacturing rely on Wesupply to manage business-critical information flows for their extended supply chain processes.

About the James Hargreaves Group

For close on five decades, the James Hargreaves Group has supplied high-quality plumbing, heating and bathroom solutions to trade and retail customers across the North of England. The company enjoys a reputation built on an unswerving commitment to total customer service. We are one of the fastest-growing plumbers merchants in the UK, with 40 Plumbing Depot branches and six bathroom showrooms. Additional branches are scheduled to be added to the portfolio during 2015. With three distinct brand identities, we have the resources to cater to any plumbing, heating, bathroom or renewable energy requirement.

Visit James Hargreaves’ website at www.jameshargreaves.com