Why we exist

Independent businesses bring expertise, service and local relationships that national chains simply cannot replicate.

Our role is to help those businesses thrive, strengthening their commercial position while protecting what makes them unique.

Today, The IPG is a growing national network of independent plumbing merchants and bathroom showrooms working alongside leading industry suppliers to support the future of the independent sector.

  • 2025

    The IPG reached a new audience with its first-ever national TV advertising campaign, helping to drive customers to local member stores.

    We returned to the InstallerSHOW in June with our largest and most interactive stand to date, continuing to champion independent businesses within the industry.

    Following its successful launch, Trade Local Day returned in 2025, building stronger connections between members, suppliers and tradespeople across the UK.

    Our annual conference brought the network together once again, celebrating the continued growth of The IPG and the strength of its community.

    To close the year, our festive ‘Elf and Safety’ campaign supported our charity partner, Royal Voluntary Service, raising funds and awareness across member stores.

  • 2024

    The InstallerSHOW in June was a success, with the largest stand yet, which promised fun and enjoyment. It’s here that Trade Local Day was officially launched, a day to shape the future of the trade industry for independent businesses and build important connections with their trade customers.

    On the 9th of September, The IPG hosted the first-ever Trade Local Day event, which was a huge success for members and suppliers.

    In November, we celebrated the best in the industry at the On The Tools Awards and commended the Heating Installer of the Year winner, Shoaib Awan, The Gas Expert.

    The announcement of our new charity partner, Royal Voluntary Service, kicked off with a festive charity raffle in our member stores, Win Santa’s Sack: Presents For All The Family, which kicked off donations with this new charity partnership.

  • 2023

    In June, The IPG hit a milestone by debuting at the InstallerSHOW, deepening our industry engagement, and sponsoring the esteemed Heating Installer Awards.

    Our annual highlight was hosting our biggest conference in Spain, featuring members, suppliers and award-winning heating installers, blending business with leisure at Benidorm's Hotel Meliá Villaitana.

    Locating an IPG member store is now effortless across the UK, courtesy of our widespread dual-branding initiative.

    By the end of this year, we exceeded our £50,000 target contribution to the Missing People #FindEveryChild charity.

  • 2022

    Following the success of our first bathroom brochure, we released the second issue in April, which was dual-branded to showcase and support our member stores.

    Our charity partnership with Missing People #FindEveryChild led to a successful fundraising event over Easter, announcing that we had raised over £33,000 for this worthy cause.

    Finally, we launched our new website, establishing the perfect starting point for tradespeople looking to buy the best brands locally at competitive prices.

  • 2019 – 2021

    The IPG logo began to appear on member stores in August 2019, marking the reveal of the group’s dual-branded stores. All systems were set to go in September when we held our second conference at the National Space Centre.

    The pandemic brought new challenges for everyone in 2020, but the strong support network within The IPG played a crucial role, providing reassurance and guidance to both members and suppliers during those difficult times.

    By the spring of 2021, we had launched our first bathroom brochure, which showcased a variety of products from several of our supplier partners. In October of that same year, we rolled out the red carpet for our biennial conference at the Mermaid Theatre in London.

  • 2013 – 2018

    With a leap of faith from our founding members and suppliers, The IPG concept was brought to life.

    As the passion and belief in the business grew rapidly, so did our membership. We welcomed our 100th member to the group in 2015, followed by our 100th supplier in 2017.

    Members and suppliers attended our first-ever conference, held at Mercedes Benz World.

    Our charity partnership with Missing People #FindEveryChild was unveiled in 2018, and this was closely followed by the launch of our first member websites, powered by The IPG.