The internet has helped revolutionise the way the world shops and helped reshape traditional industries. Today it is as easy to buy Basins, Baths or Boilers online as it is CDs or books. More and more UK households have access to the internet, resulting in more transactions taking place online. Customers can now research products thoroughly on the web and then buy from the comfort of their home 24 hours a day.

Before the web revolution, if you wanted a new boiler or radiator your options were limited. Most people approached a plumber who would specify, usually the brand that made him the most money. Another option would be to visit a specialist plumbers merchant – difficult for those at work and with no guarantee of expert advice or discounted prices. Option three would be a DIY shed, offering a wide range of products but a limited selection of plumbing and heating materials.

The UK Internet Plumbing Market 2009-2013 report published by AMA Research has highlighted trends within the industry.

• The Internet plumbing market value is forecast to be £172m at DSP by 2013
• In 2008 it is estimated that around 45% of plumbing products sold on the internet through e-tailers are own label products.
• The leading plumbing e-tailer’s are Plumbworld, Victoria Plumb, Bathroom City, Boundary Bathrooms and BHL. Together the 5 leading suppliers account for 46% of the market overall.
• Bathroom and shower products account for around 70% of the total internet plumbing market.

We built our first website back in 1998 (see below). Despite the basic design, the website announced our presence to the world and gave us a platform to build on for the future.

Today the BHL website is one of the most popular online plumbers merchants attracting thousands of visitors per day. Since our first website back in 1998 we have significantly increased our product offerings and improved all aspects of the online experience. We are constantly increasing our range of products, lowering our prices and improving and investing in our website.

The BHL team recently visited EcoBuild 2010 at Earls Court, London. The exhibition was massive with hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors.

EcoBuild displays the latest energy efficiency and renewables products and materials from the leading manufacturers within the building industry. Many manufacturers use the exhibition as an opportunity to launch new and innovative products.

We wanted to see the Plumbing and Heating stands and be the first to learn about some of the new and exciting developments within the industry. It was also interesting to see all the other disciplines within the construction industry on display.

Worcester Bosch, as you would expect from one of the UK’s leading heating manufacturers had a large and impressive stand displaying their wide range of products including Worcester Bosch Boilers, Worcester Bosch Heat Pumps and Worcester Bosch Solar.

EcoBuild 2010 featured over 1000 exhibitors displaying a wide range of products and materials including Boilers, Solar Panels, Flooring, Green Walls and Wind Turbines

Kingspan had a large presence at EcoBuild and displayed a wide range of their products including Range Tribune Cylinders and Albion Ultrasteel Cylinders.

The Guardian’s Architecture and Design correspondent Jonathan Glancey in the EcoBuild 2010 Arena Lecture.

The New Albion Aerocyl Unvented Hot Water Cylinder and Aerocyl Buffer Tank on display for one of the first times.

The impressive Remeha (Broag) range of Avanta Boilers on display and showing off their build quality and use of top quality parts.

Glow-worm Clearly Heat Pumps on display at EcoBuild.

Worcester Bosch Underfloor Heating System which as the sticker suggests is new for 2010.

EcoBuild’s most impressive structure was Cityscape, an imposing 8 metre high cube clad in the very latest living wall technology.

Ideal Heating displayed a wide range of products including the Ideal Gas Boiler and Stelrad Radiator range. Ideal also sported their new corporate logo.

Baxi Ecogen, from Baxi is a combined heat and power appliance (CHP) generates electrical power and useful heat from the single source. The model displayed above explains it all. Baxi also displayed the Zenex built GasSaver, which I discussed in a previous blog post, Save Money with a Boiler Gas Saver.

Be sure to read our blog in the coming weeks when we will report on our findings in more detail including further details of the exciting Glow-worm Clearly Hybrid, which, according to Glow-worm is the first totally practical hybrid renewables solution that looks after the earth and your pocket.