Welcome to the BMF 

The BMF is the only trade association representing and promoting the interests of merchants, 
manufacturers and service providers operating in the building materials supply sector. 


For 115 years, it has represented merchants, with an increased focus on suppliers and service members in recent years.
Together, BMF members form an impressive network of businesses, shaping and leading the sector in the manufacture
and supply of building materials, home improvement products and renewable energy systems.

When you join the BMF, you become part of the most powerful network in building materials supply,
with your interests supported and promoted as part of the BMF’s mission to build excellence across the sector,
for the benefit of all our members.

 

Membership

Five reasons why becoming a member
can help you and your business

  • Training and development
  • Business support
  • Access to market data
  • Networking opportunities
  • Political representation


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Training

The BMF runs a wide range of training and skills development for employees of merchants, distributors and suppliers, from yard staff to company directors. Training ranges from online product knowledge to specialist skills training.

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Publications

BMF publications include One Voice magazine, Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI), Plumbing & Heating News, Timber Forum News, Roofing & Insulation News, Remuneration survey, KPI report and BMF Business News.

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Find a member, search our members' database

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Featured Events

The BMF has a wide range of events, forums and regional meetings to enhance networking opportunities.






UK Construction Week - London

   7-9 May 2024

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BMF Burns Supper 2024 - Cameron House, Loch Lomand
26th January 2024

 
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BMF  Charity Golf Day - JCB Golf & Country Club, Rocester, Staffs
18 June 2024

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Latest News



Here are the latest news stories from the BMF

BMF leader appointed to forge partnerships with African education charity

The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) CEO, John Newcomb has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of a charity that gifts children in Africa with education opportunities.

 

John Newcomb has joined the leadership team at The Educational Frontier Trust (TEFT), a UK registered charity, that provides funding for the educational needs of marginalised and vulnerable children in Kenya.

 

His role will include taking responsibility for overseeing partnerships and event-based fundraising for the charity, which supports the Kisima School.

 

Located 240 km from Nairobi, the school teaches 160 children on a purpose-built five-acre site, giving them the opportunity to transform their lives through academic achievement.

 

For 11 years, John has been a committed supporter of the Kisima School and has raised more than £25,000 for the facility, with activities including a sponsored cycle and auction of prizes.

He has also supported four students through their education in Kenya, both privately and also via the BMF.

Richard Walton of TEFT, said: “John has already played a big part in our success and we are very pleased to have him join the board.

 

“He is committed to all we are doing at TEFT to build for the future and will bring a lot of expertise and insight in his new role.”

 

TEFT will draw on John’s significant experience in fundraising projects, which has seen him motivate the Building Materials sector to raise more than half a million pounds for charities and good causes since 2018.

Those benefitting include the British Heart Foundation, the BMF’s charity for 2023, as well as previous ‘charity of the year’ partners including Band of Builders, Teenage Cancer Trust, Variety-the Children’s charity, Mental Health UK and the Samaritans.

 

John has also created charity partnerships to pave the way for further appeals, including a funding drive in aid of victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, which raised £18,880. He also spearheaded a campaign across Europe’s Building Materials sector to raise £70,000 and three tonnes of aid for war-torn Ukraine.

 

John said: “The work at Kisima School is something I feel passionately about.

“I am looking forward to increasing opportunities for the pupils there and amplifying the message and raising funds to provide life-changing chances to young people in Kenya.”

 

To find out more about the Kisima School, including details of sponsoring a pupil please visit https://teft.org.uk/kisima.php

 

The BMF's CEO has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of a charity that gifts children in Africa with education opportunities.

BMF welcomes government reforms to boost apprenticeships

The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has welcomed the announcement from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of a £60m investment designed to generate up to 20,000 more apprenticeships nationwide, alongside changes to the apprenticeship levy and cuts to red tape.

 

According to the BMF, the package of support will provide a boost to the BMF Apprenticeship Pledge, launched last year with an ambitious target to create 15,000 new roles in the building materials industry by 2030.

 

The government announcement includes fully funded training for people under the age of 21, as well as doubling the amount of unused apprenticeship levy funding that SMEs can transfer to other businesses from 25% to 50%.

 

BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “The announcement is a great step forward for an industry that needs to plug a significant skills gap and address ongoing challenges stemming from an ageing workforce.

 

“Around 70% of merchants in BMF membership have a turnover of less than £12.5 million, and the reforms will mean larger levy-holders will be able to transfer up to 50% of their unused apprenticeship levy funding to these SME's.

 

“Apprenticeships are a key route for the development of new talent in our sector. Since launching the BMF Apprenticeship Pledge, 11,464 new apprenticeships places have already been pledged by 22 member companies, and we are confident of reaching our target of 15,000.

 

“The government’s buzz around apprenticeships also aligns with the major sector awareness programme the BMF will launch later this year.  This will encourage talented people of all ages and from all walks of life to find out how our industry makes a difference to our homes and the built environment around us and discover which of the many and varied careers availabe would be right for them.”

The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has welcomed the announcement from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of a £60m investment designed to generate up to 20,000 more apprenticeships nationwide...

CCPI Launches Webinar Series

The aim of the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) is to raise standards in construction product information and move the industry to a place where product information is clear, accurate, accessible, up-to-date and unambiguous. 

What is the Code for Construction Product Information?

The Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) seeks to provide greater confidence in product information, whether written in a brochure, a presentation, or on a website or social media, used by specifiers and users of product information when making design decisions, installing, using and/or maintaining verified products.

The Code is a set of minimum requirements that promotes positive culture and behaviour change in the approach and management of product information by the construction product manufacturing & distribution industry.

The Code covers critical aspects from responsibility for product information, to accuracy of and clarity of performance claims made, general information and competency.

 

CCPI has recently launched a webinar series tailored for Merchants & Distributors, following the initial participation of leading organisations in CCPI assessments under the Merchants & Distributors Code.

Tuesday 9th April, 12:00 pm

Tuesday 14th May, 13:00 pm

Tuesday 18th June, 15:30 pm

If you are a Merchant or Distributor and would like to find out more about the 4-Clause version of CCPI that is specifically designed and targeted for merchants, distributors and wholesalers please register for one of our upcoming webinars by clicking on the link below. 

To register for the CCPI Merchant & Distributors Webinar, please register via the Code for Construction Product Information website CCPI Merchant & Distributors Webinar Series 2024 Dates (cpicode.org.uk)



Please note that these webinars are aimed at merchants, distributors and wholesalers. If you are a manufacturer, you can register for a different series of tailored webinars at https://www.cpicode.org.uk/news/ccpi-webinar-series/

For any questions prior to the webinar, please contact us via email at [email protected] 

 

 

The Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) is launching a series of useful webinars tailored for merchants and distributors.

P&H sales volumes reflect construction slowdown

Figures released by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) in the Plumbing and Heating Merchants Index (PHMI) for the final quarter of 2023 continue to reflect the slowdown in construction, with total value sales growth driven by higher prices rather than an increase in sales volume.

 

 

Quarter 4 2023 v Quarter 4 2022

Total value sales in Q3 2023 were +0.4% higher compared with the same period last year. Volume sales were down -5.0%, while prices rose by +5.6%. With one more trading day in Q4 2023, like-for-like sales were -1.3%lower.

 

Quarter 4 2023 v Quarter 3 2023

Total value sales in Q4 2023 were +7.7% higher than in the previous three months, July to September 2023. With four less trading days in Q4, like-for-like sales were +14.8% higher. However, this increase was driven solely by price, which was up +10.1%, while volume sales were -2.2% lower.

 

Full year 2023 v 2022

Plumbing & Heating Merchants value sales in the period from January 2023 to December 2023 increased by +4.5% compared with the same period in 2022. With two more trading days in 2024, like-for-like value sales were +3.6% higher for the. year. Once again this was driven by price. Volume sales were -2.4% lower, while prices increased by +7.1%.

 

The data for the PHMI is taken solely from P&H specialists, including City Plumbing Supplies, James Hargreaves Plumbing Depot, Plumbfix, PTS, Williams & Co, and Wolseley, who form part of GfK’s Plumbing & Heating Merchants Panel, and there is no overlap or double counting between the PHMI and the BMF’s established Builders Merchants Building Index which analyses sales at generalist merchants.

Figures released by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) in the Plumbing and Heating Merchants Index (PHMI) for the final quarter of 2023 continue to reflect the slowdown in construction.
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