Plumb Centre has launched Parts by Plumb Centre, which focusses on heating parts and service support for installers. Installer spoke to Marie Brown – Senior Parts Category Manager at Plumb Centre – to find out more.
What is Parts by Plumb Centre?
It’s the new identity for Plumb Centre’s parts business. The offering includes 180,000 parts in distribution centres, 550,000 parts across the branch network and services that support installers on their daily jobs.
“Replacement parts have always been a core part of our business,” Marie explained. We wanted a clear proposition to show our expertise in parts. Our online hub highlights same day availability, next-day delivery, reconditioned and alternative parts, PartsArena access, test equipment & calibration, and service kits. “
Stock and availability
Parts by Plumb Centre offers:
- Parts Express – order online by 8pm for delivery to branch, home, or site.
- Next-day delivery – for orders before 5pm.
- Same-day availability – thanks to tailored branch stock based on local boiler demographics, Parts by Plumb Centre has invested in its branch stock and delivery services, offering installers multiple avenues to get access to products they need.
Marie explained: “The priority for engineers is to fix the boiler quickly, and to support with that, we need the best portfolio in branch. What we’ve done is looked at things from a demographic perspective, including what boiler brands are used more in certain areas. Being able to access the parts you need that day, and get that boiler up and running, is key.”
PartsArena
PartsArena is a powerful identification tool giving access to 24,000 boiler models, 138 manufacturers, and 251,000 parts with interactive diagrams. Installers can use it on desktop or through the Plumb Centre App to find accurate part details, including updates and replacements.
“PartsArena is our tool for parts identification,” Marie said “Installers can access it through our Plumb Centre App to see exploded boiler diagrams, and find accurate part details, including updates and replacements.’’
Choosing the right spare parts
Getting the heating and hot water repaired as quickly as possible is the focus for both installers and their customers when the system goes down. There are a range of spares options on the market, and Marie stresses the importance of understanding options:
- Genuine parts – supplied directly from boiler manufacturers. We stock these parts in all Plumb Centre branches.
- Alternative parts – come from the same factories as genuine parts and are the same quality, often at a better price.
- Reconditioned parts – sustainable, BSI-accredited, and cost-effective. Installers can trade in old parts like fans, PCBs, diverter valves and plate heat exchangers and get paid. They can also be sold back to the installer. From a circular economy point of view, it ticks a big box.
“We are, however, seeing grey parts entering the market. These parts look similar, but have not been through lifetime testing, and there has been no thorough investigation to make sure that they work to the same level of spec as the original.
It may look appealing to a customer, but if it looks too good to be true, it probably will be. At Plumb Centre, we only supply high quality boiler parts that can be trusted, so we would encourage installers to make sure what they’re selecting is the right product for the job.”
Find out more here: Parts by Plumb Centre | Get the Right Part, Right When You Need It
