Due to its six specialist groups the hagebau building materials trade has a unique selling proposition in its line of business. And the concept pays off: hagebau partners following this clear strategic line advocating specialisation have become particularly successful.

“Let us do it for you!”
For stress-free modernising, renovating and refurbishing hagebau building materials, timber and tile traders specialised in the field of modernisation offer their customers a service that is second to none in Germany: True to the motto “Let us do it for you!” (“Wir machen das für Sie!”) a project manager accredited by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports private home owners in their building project. Whether the customer wants to renovate the frontage, redesign the bathroom or convert the loft, the project manager gives comprehensive and detailed advice. The expert monitors and coordinates the building project from start to finish and even supervises the builders – a task that can be quite nerve-wracking. Thus, not only a smooth building process but also high-quality performance can be guaranteed. Why? Because the project manager solely recommends those craft enterprises specifically trained and entitled to bear the seal of quality ‘Qualifizierter Modernisierungsbetrieb’ (qualified modernisation enterprise).

Full range of services second to none
 
The hagebau timber trade is Germany’s highest-performing cooperation in its line of business. The association has the greatest share in the market, the most locations and provides its associates with a full range of services in the fields of purchasing, sales and marketing second to none in Germany. A huge team of specialists guarantee combined competence in the timber wholesale and retail trade. Moreover, the market leader stands for the highest bonus distribution and the best on-site support service. Another highlight: The hagebau timber trade places great value on individuality. Therefore all marketing activities are designed by the Soltau headquarters in such a way that the timber traders appear on the market with the individualised names of the companies.

Sales support timber trade: perfect services for all target groups
 
Specialisation has proved to be a recipe for success not only in the building materials trade but also in the timber trade. The Soltau headquarters provides the locations with target group-specific know-how in the timber wholesale and retail business. Four sales systems offer timber specialists tailor-made services to directly target professional customers and end users.

The hagebau division specialising in tiles/natural stones is one of the largest medium sized cooperations in their line of business in Germany. Arisen from a joint venture with the company IGA based in Essen the association’s latest division is equipped with decades of experience. The integration into hagebau involved a structural optimisation and the range of services was extended.

hagebau is the only association in the specialised building materials trade that succeeded in establishing a retail distribution channel of great market importance. The assortment contains everything a customer can expect from a modern do-it-yourself store. All over Germany, hagebaumarkt DIY stores are run in a franchise system. The advantage of this nationwide coverage is that both the size of the store and the product range can be attuned to the local customers’ needs.

Effective franchise system by ZEUS
 
The company ZEUS Zentrale für Einkauf und Service GmbH & Co. KG is franchisor for the retail trade. ZEUS is a joint venture of hagebau, the Einkaufsbüro Deutscher Eisenhändler GmbH (EDE), a Wuppertal purchasing association of German ironmongers, and the Bielefeld based EK/servicegroup eG.

• More information on the hagebaumarkt system

ZEUS holds a top position in the garden centre business. For many hagebaumarkt DIY stores the green product range has become an important business. Home owners can buy everything they need to enhance their private wellness oasis in hagebau garden centres.