Struggling to Find and Contact UK Manufacturers for Bulk Buying

[nedis15]

I’ve been trying to figure out how to buy products in bulk directly from manufacturers in the UK, but I just can’t seem to wrap my head around it. I’ve been at this for a few weeks now, and I’m still hitting dead ends.

I’m new to this, so I’d appreciate some guidance. I want to bulk buy household products made in the UK, but most manufacturer websites don’t seem to have a clear way to place wholesale orders. Sometimes they only sell through wholesalers, but even then, it’s not obvious who those wholesalers are or how to find the right ones.

If a manufacturer doesn’t sell directly, how do you figure out which wholesalers they work with? Are there any reliable directories or methods to track this information down myself? Also, if anyone knows of UK manufacturers that do sell directly to businesses, I’d really appreciate some recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

How much are you going to be buying a year/per lot? If container loads, you should be able to build a direct relationship, however, if the odd pallet, you will probably need to go via a distributor.

Do you want branded or OEM?

 

[nedis15]

How much are you going to be buying a year/per lot? If container loads, you should be able to build a direct relationship, however, if the odd pallet, you will probably need to go via a distributor.

Do you want branded I'm looking to buy in bulk with a budget of around £2,000 per order. My goal is to avoid extra costs from middlemen, so I’m trying to buy directly from a manufacturer. The problem is, I don’t even know how to get in contact with them. If they only sell through distributors, how do I find out which ones they work with? Any advice would be appreciated.

How much are you going to be buying a year/per lot? If container loads, you should be able to build a direct relationship, however, if the odd pallet, you will probably need to go via a distributor.

Do you want branded or OEM?

I'm looking to buy in bulk with a budget of around £2,000 per order. My goal is to avoid extra costs from middlemen, so I’m trying to buy directly from a manufacturer. The problem is, I don’t even know how to get in contact with them. If they only sell through distributors, how do I find out which ones they work with? Any advice would be appreciated.

I'm only looking for branded such as Yorkshire tea and other house hold items.

 

[Mark T Jones]

I'm looking to buy in bulk with a budget of around £2,000 per order. My goal is to avoid extra costs from middlemen, so I’m trying to buy directly from a manufacturer. The problem is, I don’t even know how to get in contact with them. If they only sell through distributors, how do I find out which ones they work with? Any advice would be appreciated.

I'm only looking for branded such as Yorkshire tea and other house hold items.

£2,000 is pallet rather than container -it's unlikely to interest manufacturers.

Google throws up many results for tea distributors - completely at random, this one https://www.bbfoodservice.co.uk/ (I've no idea if they are good, bad or average BTW).

Obviously geography and range of goods are relevant.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Also '£2k' means little - thats a few TV's or millions of toothpicks!

 

[boxlot]

Depends on the manufacturer but in most cases £2K per order is too small amount and many manufacturers wont be interested. The next factor is where and how you will sell these - own shop, trade counter, online etc. If you're selling only on Ebay/Amazon, more likely they wont be interested. Having your own warehouse and commercial address will help massively. If you have only residential address, forgot about the manufacturers.

Getting into contact - I started out sending emails to general contacts explaining who I am and what I do and that I would like to resell their products. They will redirect these to the correct person who will reply etc. Don't expect to get quick replies. In general dealing directly with manufactures is slow process. Also keep in mind that some manufactures use wholesalers only.

I hope that helps.

 

[DoolallyTap]

You say - buy in bulk with a budget of around £2,000 per order. - that's not bulk, at that level you are possibly going to find it hard to buy direct from the manufacturer, you need to phone them up or e mail but probably just go to Makro or Costco

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Getting into contact - I started out sending emails to general contacts explaining who I am and what I do and that I would like to resell their products. They will redirect these to the correct person who will reply etc. Don't expect to get quick replies. In general dealing directly with manufactures is slow process. Also keep in mind that some manufactures use wholesalers only.

I hope that helps.

This, basically, or picking up the phone. We get enquiries almost daily from people wanting to buy directly from us, trying to cut out the middlemen. It's mildly irritating but I guess I can't blame people for trying. We assess their business as quickly as we can. Often they give very little detail about their business but we can usually weigh them up from their business name (if they give it), tone of voice, email address (gmail/hotmail or own domain), website etc. If it's someone we think we can work directly with then we'll get back in touch or, in 99.9% of cases, we farm them out to an appropriate distributor or retailer.

My advise would be to keep your intro/mail short, but give a little bit of information about who you are, where you sell, maybe when you were established etc. And then POLITELY ask about how to procure their items. Don't come across demanding or expecting them to fall down at your feet because you've a couple of grand to spend.... trust me, it doesn't work!

As said above on the kind of products/quantities you've mentioned then it's unlikely any manufacturers will want to deal directly. But they should be able to point you in the direction of a distributor or wholesaler.

 

[nedis15]

thanks everyone i think i get it, this is more networking rather than just going to a an online store and buying what i want. the good thing is 2000 is enough i just have to find their emails or phone numbers, I did get a contact for Unilever so i will be contacting them Soon. Thank you for the help Everyone.

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Unilever won't supply you with a £2000 order. But they'll hopefully point you in the right direction.

 

[TCH]

here's a quote from mkmplastics, and specifically their FAQ page

We are sometimes asked if we can give the contact details of customers that we sell to, however that would be breaking privacy laws and we are unable to do that.

not sure what they mean my 'privacy laws' but that's the quote

you may be suspected of being a competitor, who is posing as a prospective customer and who is nosing about

just ask that your contact details be passed on, which would not be a breach of confidentiality