Formed in 1982, the AIMS Group* is a Purchasing and Marketing Consortium representing 7 regional independent paper merchants in the UK working together in unity to the benefit of the Group, other members of the Group and themselves, under collective direction and agreed objectives.

AIMS PURCHASING STRATEGY

• To maximise the collective Group’s purchasing leverage through Group deals and agreements
• To source quality products from global, market-leading suppliers
• To support our suppliers
• To demonstrate loyalty to those suppliers who reciprocate this loyalty
• To obtain the best possible overall deals with suppliers
• To ensure meaningful rebates are available, recognising that these act as the ‘glue’ which holds the deals together
• Unless exclusivity is granted, to source, where practical, two (or more) lines of supply for complementary products without diluting purchasing power to ensure competitiveness
• To work with key suppliers to ensure that together we maximise opportunities
• To work with suppliers to identify key markets and, with mutual support, ensure a presence in these markets
• To support suppliers’ marketing activities and promote products in the AIMS portfolio

AIMS MARKETING STRATEGY

• To generate appropriate sales collateral cost effectively through supplier sponsorship and collective economies of scale, providing members with tools that could otherwise be cost prohibitive working individually
• To collaborate with suppliers in developing marketing initiatives for subsequent Members’ approval
• Where required, to conceive and develop own brands to meet specific, identified Group needs
• To support suppliers’ marketing activities and promote products in the AIMS portfolio