About the Founder - A Career Built in the Building Materials Supply Chain
About The Founder
The Formative Years 1988 - 2012
Thank you for visiting our website, I’m Ben Whitehouse, the Founder of MerchPro Solutions, and I’ve spent more than 35 years working inside the builders’ merchant, distribution and supply chain sectors. My career began back in 1988 at a small local ironmongers, before I progressed into roles with national builders’ merchants. Eventually I found my merchant home at E H Smith Builders Merchants where I proceeded to spend a very enjoyable and rewarding 16 years.
At the very start of my career I worked in warehouses and yards, drove forklift trucks and lorries, served customers on busy sales counters, managed stock control, and oversaw purchasing and transport operations. Over time, I moved into branch management and then regional management, ultimately being responsible for a £35m annual turnover. The knowledge I gained over those years gave me a deep, practical understanding of how a business really works — the pressures, the opportunities, the day‑to‑day challenges, and of course the diverse characters and personalities who shape this great industry.
2012 - 2026 and beyond
In 2012, I decided it was time for a new challenge and a change of direction. Having always enjoyed finding ways to improve systems and make operational processes run more smoothly, I wanted to combine my hands-on merchant experience with technology by moving into the world of business management software and solutions.
Working for companies specialising in software development for merchants and wholesale distributors has given me the opportunity to help hundreds of businesses across the supply chain modernise their systems and streamline their operations. Throughout this time, I've worked closely with merchants, distributors, manufacturers and businesses in the automotive and service industries, of all sizes, providing software solutions and operational improvements that make a measurable difference to business performance.
My approach has always been simple: Practical solutions, real business value, and positive change that people can understand and adopt.
In 2026, I decided it was time to take the next step and establish my own business. I've long believed there was a need for an independent consultancy that genuinely understands both sides of the fence: the operational challenges faced by businesses and the technology available to overcome them. And so, MerchPro Solutions was born.
The world of business software and digital transformation never stands still, so my commitment is to provide a service built on honesty, listening, practical advice and ongoing support, helping businesses turn industry challenges into practical software solutions that deliver meaningful results.
Outside of work, I’m very much a family man who enjoys being outdoors and making the most of the fresh air in the countryside and by the sea. Sport and especially football has always been a big part of my life.
I used to play but now love watching my two sons play instead, and as proud West Brom supporters, we always try to attend a match whenever we possibly can.
Music is another great passion of mine, and both me and my wife, Samantha, enjoy going to local gigs and concerts. I’ve played the piano and keyboards since I was young and I used to perform in front of live audiences. This helped me with confidence and discipline, and taught me how to stay calm under pressure, which are moments that have helped shape who I am today.
Outside of Work
Outside of work, I’m very much a family man who enjoys being outdoors and making the most of the fresh air in the countryside and by the sea. Sport and especially football has always been a big part of my life.
I used to play but now love watching my two sons play instead, and as proud West Brom supporters, we always try to attend a match whenever we possibly can.
Samantha and I also like to help those who are maybe less fortunate than ourselves, and over the last few years Sam has been responsible for leading a non‑profit support and assistance group that has raised money and distributed items for those in need.
Sam’s latest venture is Sunflower Hearts and this is something we are both very proud of — more information on that to come soon.
“Don’t let things happen, make things happen”
“Don’t let things happen,
make things happen”
Music is another great passion of mine, and both me and my wife, Samantha, enjoy going to local gigs and concerts. I’ve played the piano and keyboards since I was young and I used to perform in front of live audiences. This helped me with confidence and discipline, and taught me how to stay calm under pressure, which are moments that have helped shape who I am today.
Samantha and I also like to help those who are maybe less fortunate than ourselves, and over the last few years Sam has been responsible for leading a non‑profit support and assistance group that has raised money and distributed items for those in need.
Sam’s latest venture is Sunflower Hearts and this is something we are both very proud of — more information on that to come soon.
