As Coomers Timber & Building Supplies approaches its 70th anniversary in 2026, the independent merchant is making its boldest technology move in almost two decades, selecting GenetiQ’s cloud-native solution to power its next stage of competitive growth.
(This press release was originally published prior to Intact’s rebrand on 2nd March 2026 and has since been updated to reflect our new name, GenetiQ)
After 18 years with their previous ERP system, Coomers recognised the superiority of GenetiQ Cloud, finding it outperformed their current application in multiple key areas.
"Changing ERP systems wasn’t a decision we took lightly,” says Charlie Stuart, Operations Manager at Coomers. “But it became obvious that our previous provider hadn’t developed their product as far as GenetiQ and had a long way to go to catch up."
Inevitably, those gaps showed. Development moved slowly, partner integrations were limited, and the system’s architecture wasn’t meeting Coomers’ needs. Operating three branches across southern England, Coomers is deeply rooted in a complex network of buying groups, suppliers, and merchant networks unique to the UK market. For a business managing multiple sites and focused on sustainable growth, these constraints were holding back its competitive edge.
We needed a partner who truly understood the UK merchant model," Charlie Stuart explained. "And we found that right from the start, it was a one-horse race. With so many NBG merchants already using GenetiQ’s systems, we could see it was proven technology that understood businesses like ours."
The consistent positive feedback from fellow merchants reinforced that instinct. "What gives you trust in a long-term partnership is how industry partners and other merchants talk about it," Charlie continued. "When everyone's on the same page and no one has anything negative to say, that sense of community speaks volumes. Knowing that GenetiQ has made that commitment to independent merchants like us, meant we knew exactly who we wanted beside us for the next chapter of our growth.”
However, the decision wasn't only about alignment. Coomers will maintain significant transaction cost savings secured through a Clover NMBS deal. The business will also enhance its customer payment journey with GenetiQ's integrated Clover payment solution, which reduces counter clutter and increases the functionality of Clover devices, making the payment process seamless for customers.
But the benefits don’t end with cost reductions. After three e-commerce systems over five years, the business found GenetiQ’s ecommerce solution balances essential features with real-world usability, while GenetiQ’s Toolbank integration allows the team to expand its lightside catalogue without additional warehousing or inventory risk.
The operational advantages reach across all three branches. Staff will gain enhanced visibility into purchasing metrics and can review orders before they reach suppliers, enabling smarter negotiations. The built-in CRM opens more personal customer communication, whilst automation handles manual back-office tasks that previously consumed valuable time. At the counter, the difference will be immediately felt. "Accessing what we need will be so much faster than before," notes Charlie Stuart. "The ability to customise views so staff don't see irrelevant clutter is extremely important." The cloud-based platform also eliminates the complexity of remote desktop solutions, delivering direct access with better performance across the business.
For Coomers, this isn’t just a system swap. After 18 years with the same platform, they are positioning themselves for the next chapter, where efficiency, margin discipline, and service define the winners in a competitive market.
We're excited to work with businesses like Coomers who truly understand the value of community and collaboration,” says Simon Barber, Head of Merchant Sales UK at GenetiQ. “They saw immediately how being part of a strong merchant network on GenetiQ would benefit them, and we're looking forward to seeing how they leverage the platform to strengthen their competitive position in the years ahead.
About Coomers Timber and Building Supplies:
Since 1956, Coomers has been a trusted independent builders’ merchant in southern England, operating branches in Bordon, Haslemere, and Alton. A founding member of the National Buying Group, Coomers balances local community service with the buying clout of a national network.
About GenetiQ:
GenetiQ is the trusted ERP provider built for the UK and Ireland building-materials merchant sector. With over 30 years’ experience, GenetiQ's systems are widely used by independent merchants who need modern technology, deep merchant integrations, and continued innovation rooted in the realities of the trade.