Successful launch: The new concept for the WUPPER-RING

With a central kick-off meeting on 15. and 16 January, the E/D/E business division building services officially launched the new concept for the WUPPER-RING. Members and suppliers met in Fulda to get in the mood for further cooperation – which is to take place in the form of communities of interest.

Daniel Berresch, head of the E/D/E business division building services, and product manager Tanja Kalina welcomed around 80 representatives from industry and trade in the sanitary sector with a review of the cooperation to date and an outlook for the coming months. They met on 15. and January 16 for a kick-off meeting in Fulda to jointly launch the new WUPPER-RING concept.

Previously, WUPPER-RING had a “building services performance group” with 16 member companies. They pursued ambitious goals that were almost impossible to achieve, especially for smaller companies. In order to involve them in the future, the specialist area has developed a new concept that enables cooperation in communities of interest.

Since the beginning of the year, there have been nine interest groups, each of which is assigned to a supplier. If WUPPER-RING members wish to participate in a community of interest, they must meet certain requirements – “performance criteria”. In return, they benefit from attractive conditions for at least one year.

A breath of fresh air from new members The kick-off meeting was primarily about personal exchange. “The members who joined when the new concept was introduced bring a breath of fresh air to the collaboration. In return, the others contribute their experience,” reports Tanja Kalina. “The group is now more mixed than before, with larger and smaller companies equally represented. There was a great group dynamic throughout the event and communication was lively.”

Addressing customer needs The participants met in small groups to discuss the details of the new concept in depth. “Customer needs are not the same everywhere in Germany,” explains the product manager. “This has a major impact on distributors’ business. It starts with the presentation and stocking of the displays. Products and concepts that are well received in one region can be unsuccessful in other parts of the country.”

Event receives positive response In a final feedback round, members were able to provide feedback on the kick-off meeting and express their wishes for the way forward. “The response was very positive. We have also found good approaches for future collaboration,” says Daniel Berresch. He is satisfied with how the meeting went: “I am very pleased with the great interest in the event and the numerous registrations for the new communities of interest. My team and I are looking forward to the coming months and the implementation of the agreed measures and activities on the ground.”