Podcast: Carl Taylor - Combined Building Supplies Cooperative
[ E20]In this episode of Co-op Leader Conversations, Saya Wahrlich speaks with Carl Taylor about the growth of Combined Building Supplies Cooperative and the role storytelling, advocacy and member ownership have played in its success.
What began as a small group of builders trying to improve their buying power has evolved into one of New Zealand’s largest purchasers of building materials, with more than 2,100 members and an expanding presence in Australia. Along the way, CBS Co-op has built a strong voice for small operators in the construction sector and created a highly engaged membership base built around the co-operative model.
Conversation themes
Why CBS was originally created and the market problem it set out to solve
The realities of building a co-operative from scratch
How ownership changes the way members engage with an organisation
Why advocacy became an important part of the CBS story
The role of social media and word of mouth in growing membership
Why consistency matters when telling the co-operative story
Governance, succession and keeping boards aligned with long-term vision
Why CBS chose a different structure for its Australian expansion
Why this matters
The episode highlights the practical impact of the co-op model for small businesses, including collective buying power, rebates returned to members, and creating a stronger voice for tradespeople and contractors in industry conversations.
“If you're creating a cooperative, you are doing this for life. Theoretically, this thing should be here for 100, 150, 200 years.”
Carl taylor, ceo combined building supplies cooperative
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