3BG Supply, creating centralized data solutions

3BG Supply has raised $4M in total. We talk with its team.

PetaCrunch: How would you describe 3BG Supply in a single tweet?

3BG: 3BG is a technology-enabled distribution company for Industrial MRO Products and focused on creating centralized data solutions and technology to improve the customer purchasing experience. We’re solving the problem of ‘decentralization’ of data making it difficult to purchase.

PC: How did it all start and why?

3BG: Co-founders Shane and Alex created 3BG because they grew weary of using catalogs. While working for his grandfather’s distribution company, Shane identified a solution for the inefficiencies our industry has faced for decades. We lack the use of technology to service customers simpler, faster, and cheaper. The catalyst for the start of 3BG occurred upon a regular visit to a customer where Shane had to identify, source, and supply various products to solve the issue at hand. Shane wasted a considerable amount of time and money throughout this process, mainly because he had to go catalog by catalog just to interchange the products needed. In fact, Shane loves telling the story where he was led to the customer’s “Catalog Room” where he stood face to face with an overwhelming amount of paper literature. It was there that he said to himself, “There has to be a better way, one in which I can search a part number and have all the different manufacturers pop up and allow me to purchase right there on the site.” Thus, the idea of 3BG was conceived. Today the company is a rapidly growing, venture backed and industry changing business.

PC: What have you achieved so far?

3BG: We have a team of 23 people (30 total forecasted for year-end 2019) and 175,000+ Products Online scaling rapidly as an eCommerce distributor within the Industry. In addition, Minimum Viable Product for what will be the industry’s most comprehensive interchange application revolutionizing the way in which people identify, source and purchase industrial MRO products is slated for a launch in 18–24 months.

We have acquired and serviced over 5,500 customers of which 13% are active (or have ordered more than once within the past year). We’re acquiring over 350+ new customers per month and growing.

PC: How will you use your recent funding round?

3BS: Our spending is split as follows:

• Marketing & Customer Acquisition 15%
• Team Building (Hiring) 55%
• Software Development 10%
• Overheads 20%

PC: What do you plan to achieve in the next 2–3 years?

3BS: We forecast 300%+ Sales Growth over 2–3 years and team growing to 72+ people.

We plan to acquire and service over 39,000 customers of which 13% are active (or have ordered more than once within the past year).

We will launch in 18–24 months the industry’s most comprehensive interchange application revolutionizing the way in which people identify, source and purchase industrial MRO products.