About Us
About the Plumbers Co-op
At the Plumbers Co-op, it’s all about you. We supply Owner-Members with the best products — including hot water systems and bathroom fittings — at sharp prices, with service you can rely on.
Three ways to save
Being a Co-op means competitive pricing and wide choice.
- 2.5% settlement discount on accounts settled within 30-day trading terms.
- Rebates on purchases paid within terms.
- Dividends and profit share (cash + extra shares).
Can you afford not to be an Owner-Member?
What you get
Alongside strong pricing, range and service, Owner-Members get practical support that helps your business run smoother — and earn more from the work you already do.
Your own stores
A network of branches up and down the East Coast — a one-stop shop for everyday supplies and the hard-to-find specialised items plumbers need.
Tricks of the trade
Useful online services that support quoting and ordering — built for real-world plumbing workflows.
Service on time
Quality branded products when you need them, people who know the range, and delivery updates when your order leaves the branch.
Silver service
Your own account support for questions on pricing and availability — including help outside standard hours when it matters.
Community and events
Trade nights, BBQs and conferences — a mix of business and camaraderie, because you work hard and you’ve earned it.
Membership that makes sense
Why give your spend to others, when you can put coin back in your pocket and build long-term Co-op value?
Mission
At Plumbers Co-op, we support our valued Owner-Members through a unified community of plumbers — rewarded with benefits that go beyond best-value products, range and superior service.
It’s our business to make your business a success.
Co-operative principles
- Voluntary & open membership
- Democratic Owner-Member control
- Owner-Member economic participation
- Autonomy & independence
- Education, training & information
- Co-operation among co-operatives
- Concern for community
Where it all began
The beginnings were humble and the work was hard. Less than ten years after WWII, plumbers were still struggling to get materials — and without trade discounts, making a decent living was tough.
On 14 April 1955, a meeting was held in Pitt Street Sydney (next to where Telstra House is today) with the goal of forming a Co-operative Trading Society. Four men were elected as Directors of a new society: Plumbers’ Supplies Co-operative Limited.
From those early days, your Co-op has grown into a major trade supplier — with money returned to Owner-Members through discounts, dividends and rebates.
It’s a great story — and we’re not here to coast. As the world changes the way it does business, your Co-op is changing too.
Where we are going
Proud past. Strong future. Competition is consolidating, customer expectations are rising, and technology keeps lifting the bar. We’re responding by improving service standards, investing in better ways to buy and reorder, and strengthening our branded range — so Owner-Members win.
- More relevant information, delivered across platforms
- Faster, clearer updates and communication
- Higher customer service standards in every branch
- More product training and expanded ranges
Whatever the challenge, we’ll anticipate it — and meet it.
Our board
The Co-op is governed by a Board with a strong Owner-Member majority, supported by independent directors who bring deep experience and oversight.
Andrew Murphy
Murphy Plumbing (formerly Drainage Pty Ltd) was started in 1965. Andrew has worked in the industry for 33 years and specialises in commercial and industrial plumbing, civil drainage, and water infrastructure. Elected to the Board in 2003, he’s focused on keeping service, range, competitive pricing, and strong returns front and centre — with a culture and camaraderie that sets the Co-op apart.
Troy Brown
Troy has been involved in the industry for 33 years. His business, Penrith Lakes Plumbing Pty Ltd, specialises in commercial and industrial hydraulic services. He’s served on the Co-op Board for 5.5 years and values the community the Co-op creates — and the financial upside it delivers to Owner-Members.
Cameron Muir
Cameron started his apprenticeship in 1984 and runs D.J. Muir Plumbing Pty Ltd, covering general plumbing from drainage to roofing and everything in between. On the Board for 6 years, he backs the Co-op model because plumbers own the business — and the more you invest and trade with the Co-op, the bigger the benefits for your business.
Paul Bull
Paul is an independent director supporting strong governance and oversight, bringing an external lens to help keep the Co-op focused on long-term performance and Owner-Member value.
Robert Bakewell
Robert (BCom, Chartered Accountant) is an experienced ASX-listed company CFO and independent director with 40+ years’ international experience. He brings deep capability across financial management and control, balance sheet optimisation, capital and treasury management, liquidity, and equity raising, alongside strong stakeholder engagement across business, regulators, and government.
Executive team
The Executive Team is responsible for day-to-day leadership and delivering improvements across branches, service, supply, and digital.
Willi Friderich
Chief Executive Officer
Ali El-Droubi
Chief Financial Officer
Tony El-Khawli
Chief Operating Officer
Aaron Langston
National Sales Director
Debbie Dragicevich
Team & Culture Manager
Steven Muller
Chief Marketing Officer
Ready to get more out of your spend?
Join the Plumbers Co-op and buy your supplies through a business built for plumbers and Owner-Members — not private owners.
