About Buying Group Services Inc.
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Buying Group Services Inc. is a leading firm specializing in the formation, development, and operation of Buying Groups. With offices in Ontario and Nova Scotia, BGS focuses on providing services across North America. The principals of BGS are uniquely qualified, with hands-on experience working with and for Buying Groups for close to thirty years. As individuals they have been Members of groups, Suppliers to groups, consultants to groups, key operational employees of groups, and designers of technology used by some of North America’s most successful groups.
Ian Gray, President & CEO
Prior to starting Buying Group Services, Ian spent the past 9 years, as a Principal of LBMX Inc. He successfully helped launch and then grow LBMX into a global organization and the leading provider of software solutions and IT services to Purchasing Co-ops and Buying Groups it is today. At LBMX, Ian provided leadership in the areas of Product Development, Finance, Administration and Strategic Direction. His role at LBMX provided him with the unique opportunity to work with a great number of Buying Groups across North America, to discover firsthand what it takes to be a successful group. Ian is recognized as one of North America’s leading experts on Buying Groups.
Prior to launching the LBMX venture, he was the majority owner and CEO of Dimensions Retail Systems Inc. During his 10 year tenure Dimensions grew to be the largest provider of Point of Sale Systems to the Hardware, Lumber and Building Material sector in Canada, with over 50 employees and over 500 Independent Retailers using the product. During this period, the Independents in the sector were dealing with the entrance of Home Depot and other Big Box Retailers in the market. It was in working with the Independents and their Buying Groups to improve the supply chain efficiency that the power of the Buying Group was revealed.
Ian has his MBA from Ivey Business School and his undergraduate degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He currently serves as Vice-Chair on the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement, London and District and spent several years involved on the Board of Lumber and Building Material Association of Ontario.
Brian Hermiston – Vice President, Operations
Prior to joining BGS as Vice President – Operations, Brian Hermiston, was a principal with BH Group, a consulting firm focused on buying groups and purchasing co-operatives. Brian has significant experience and knowledge in working with these kinds of organizations, based on a thirty five year career in the retail and wholesale sectors. He is also well versed in member issues having owned and operated a lumber and building material retail operation for over twenty five years, in which a Buying Group was instrumental in the success of his business. When industry consolidation presented an opportunity, Brian jumped to work full time for the AWARD Buying Group. He was responsible for the implementation and development of The AWARD Buying Group's initiative to be Canada's first Electronic (paperless) Buying Group in the lumber and building material sector.
His work at The BH Group has been focused on implementing and managing important technology projects that bring advantage to purchasing co-operatives. For example, one of his latest projects has been with Steel-Plus Network, a North American wide buying group, working to implement electronic invoicing for their members and rebate management programs.
Brian is closely involved in the Atlantic Canada business community. He has served as President of the Eastern Kings Chamber of Commerce, is a former member of the Atlantic Provinces Innovation Council, winner of the Arthur Saffron Volunteer of the year award and a board member of the Community Business Development Bank of Canada. He has also consulted throughout Atlantic Canada, working with organizations such as Saint Mary's University, Chambers of Commerce, Human Resources Development Canada and numerous firms in the private sector.