New online construction material shop and inspiration for wall and floor coverings united in a single platform

Smart e-commerce & corporate platform with SAP Commerce Cloud for HGC

The construction industry is changing. In order to keep up with the latest developments, the construction materials retailer HGC is advancing digital transformation at the company – together with valantic.

Male architect using mobile phone and laptop at construction site

With an integrated commerce and corporate platform, HGC is fit for the future in B2B online trading. And there’s more: It creates a digital space for inspiration and valuable content that is unmatched in the industry. SAP Commerce Cloud is the reliable technological basis.

HGC: Build easily and efficiently

HG COMMERCIALE (HGC) is more than a dealer of construction materials. The independent trade association of the Swiss Master Builders’ Association regards itself as a service provider for all aspects of construction. HGC is mainly active in the B2B sector. In particular, however, when it comes to wall and floor coverings, the company is increasingly also addressing end customers.

Image of the employees of HG Commerciale, valantic case study: e-commerce & corporate platform for HGC with SAP Commerce Cloud
  • 3.700 members from the construction industry, who are mostly also customers
  • Companies from all construction sectors
  • Product range: Construction materials. as well as wall and floor coverings
  • Industry focus: B2B online commerce

Project objectives

Create an integrated platform for the "Commerce" and "Corporate" sectors

Completely renovate the online shop

Pursue consistent omnichannel orientation for higher market volume

The challenge

Image of a desk with a laptop and a construction helmet, valantic case study: e-commerce & corporate platform for HGC with SAP Commerce Cloud

Trade contractors, construction contractors, various private clients, and the public – each target group has its own needs. And that was precisely the challenge for HGC and valantic: to fulfill individual requirements as well as possible and integrate them into the new platform.

No Google indexing, no UI optimization, and poor performance: The deficiencies of the old shop were corrected as part of the project.

The new online shop takes the digital sales channel for the construction materials business to a new level. If you can find products easily, you are likely to order again. A buying center with different roles and corresponding authorizations should ensure this in the future. Issues such as increased customer loyalty and greater efficiency become more of a focus.

With 40 stationary outlets and 18 exhibition spaces for wall and floor coverings, the last challenge is certainly to ensure a consistent omnichannel orientation.

The solution

Usability, technology, digital commerce, and productivity – four focal topics that HG COMMERCIALE and valantic have addressed jointly. The aim was to consider the needs of very different target groups. And similarly, the special features of B2B online trading.

Customer benefits

Industry-specific inspiration and information

Optimized registration and ordering processes

Personalized service solutions in the buying center

The results at a glance

Bild eines Schreibtisches mit einem Laptop und einem Bauhelm, valantic Referenz: E-Commerce- & Corporate-Plattform mit der SAP Commerce Cloud für HGC

These are the main components of the new e-commerce & corporate platform:

  • Fusing of two worlds: Construction material online shop and inspiration platform for wall and floor coverings
  • Complex user management: Multi-user with different rights and use cases
  • Simplified re-registration: Reduced from 2 weeks processing time to 4 hours
  • Multi-goods cart: Buying center that purchases for different projects at the same time
  • Order via company lists
  • Unit calculator: How many packaging units are required for how much area?
  • Availability of goods: Based on location and delivery capacity
  • Customer-specific prices: List price, net price, and individual discount by project

Presentation at SAP now Switzerland: Insights into project implementation

At SAP now Switzerland, the platform, which was successfully launched, was presented to a large audience. In an interview, Manuel Hutter and Thomas Schwarz reported on their personal highlights, the biggest challenges and they provide valuable tips for successful project implementation. Thomas Schwarz also reveals that the project is by no means completed and gives an outlook on the next stages.

Image of the brochure to the valantic case study: Commerce & Corporate Platform for B2B Online Trading with SAP Commerce Cloud for HGC

Smart e-commerce & corporate platform with SAP Commerce Cloud for HGC

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Your Contact

Portrait of Alexander Zoulkowski, Head of Operations at valantic CEC Switzerland

Alexander Zoulkowski

Head of Operations at valantic CEC Switzerland