The Buttress Group, a successful UK catering equipment business, is looking to increase its online sales of spare parts to the levels enjoyed by similar suppliers in Italy and Germany, thanks to its three new websites.

Roger Keith, Operations Director of the Buttress Group, explains: ‘CaterParts, a subsidiary of the Buttress Group is made up of three different divisions CaterParts, CaterBits and Wobble Wedges. The CaterParts website (www.caterparts.com) sells spare parts for commercial catering equipment and is aimed at specialist service engineers. However, we found an increasing number of caterers themselves were using the site to source parts which do not any require technical expertise to fit, so to meet this need we set up the CaterBits website (www.caterbits.com).

‘This site has an online shop which allows caterers, hoteliers and publicans to purchase catering equipment ancillaries and other associated spare parts out of traditional shop or business hours. At the same time, we also developed the Wobble Wedges website (www.wobblewedges.co.uk). Wobble Wedges are small plastic shims, used to level table legs or other wobbly pieces of furniture or equipment. Whilst the catering industry is a big market for this product, it was felt a separate website was needed to sell them as they have a far wider potential market. The result is two sites which work cohesively, with easy navigation between them.

Roger adds: ‘With an operation the size of the Buttress Group maintaining an internet presence is a challenge, so when I decided to increase the Group’s online sales I immediately contacted Bob Young of IRUN Banbury. Bob and I have a professional relationship which has spanned more than 20 years and with his marketing expertise and knowledge, I could think of nobody better equipped to put the Group’s companies on the internet map.’

Roger continues: ‘While Bob constructed sites, including banner designs, copywriting and search engine optimisation, I familiarised myself with the workings of the online IRUN package, WebBuildPRO, used to build the sites. I was impressed by its user-friendliness, flexibility and almost endless potential. It is nice to know I can quickly and easily make changes to the sites to maintain their freshness and appeal.

Roger concludes: ‘I see the three websites as being the foundation for the Buttress Group’s internet presence and I’m confident the online sales will rival those of my European counterparts in time.’