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

Building Safety Regulator Webinars

Welcome to the Building Safety Regulator – webinar series

The Building Safety Regulator (BDR) and partners (CLC/OPSS) bring you a series of webinars, designed to educate and inform stakeholders and duty holders involved in the wider built environment. They are your gateway to a world of knowledge and expertise, dedicated to advancing building safety.

The webinars will provide you with:

Expert insights -  feature leading experts from BSR and industry who will share their knowledge, experiences and insights, helping you stay ahead of the changes.

Accessible anytime, anywhere -  accessible online, allowing you to participate from the comfort of your home or office, at a time that suits your schedule.

Act now - understand the regulatory changes and what you need to do as a duty holder


Join us on our mission to elevate building safety standards and drive positive change in the industry.


Together, we can work to make sure residents are safe and feel safe in their homes.


NEXT WEBINAR  22 April 10am – 12noon 
Construction Products – Exploring progress and perspectives on compliance of construction products


Post-Building Safety Act 2022, this is your opportunity to hear from and engage directly with representatives of industry, government and the Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS), the UK’s regulator for construction products, as they explore their perspectives on compliance of construction products.


Chair – Peter Caplehorn,  CE CPA and CLC Construction Products lead for Building Safety
Speakers - Duncan Johnson, Deputy Director Construction Products, OPSS, Dept for Business and Trade
Louise Barr, Deputy Director Construction Products DLUHC
Adam Turk, CEO Siderise.


REGISTER HERE:
https://bsrevents.co.uk/home

 

 

Join this webinar run by the Building Safety Regulator to learn more about safety compliance on construction products from experts in this field.

Buttle's Welcomes Lib Dem Daisy Cooper, MP

How the building materials’ supply chain is evolving to support environmental responsibility in construction - and responding to the net zero carbon challenge - was the focus of a constituency visit by Daisy Cooper MP last Friday.

The MP for St Albans visited Buttle’s, a 105-year old business based in the town, to see how it helps constituents to improve the thermal and energy performance of homes and workplaces.

Daisy Cooper, who is her Party’s Deputy Leader and Health Spokes

person, was welcomed by Peter Buttle, Chairman, and Ian Church, Managing Director. Touring the branch, Ms Cooper was shown examples of the sustainable materials and products available to Buttle’s customers in Hertfordshire and North London. She also heard from Shelby Williams, Branch Manager, how merchants and their SME customers have managed with higher raw material, energy, labour and transport costs.

Concluding her visit, Daisy Cooper MP said:

“It was great to visit Buttle’s to learn how they are embracing low and zero-carbon initiatives, whilst continuing to serve their traditional house-building and property improvement markets”.

“It’s encouraging to find a well-known, local family-run business face the future and embrace not only carbon-neutral suppliers, but carbon-negative ones too”.

“I want to thank Shelby and her team for helping local builders and DIY enthusiasts with their building and home improvement projects, and for giving me the opportunity to see for myself their contribution to not only St Alban’s economy, but also more widely around the county”.

As Shadow Health Minister, Daisy Cooper MP discussed how to prevent condensation, damp and mould in homes that cause respiratory problems and affect human health. During the Coalition Government, Lib Dem ministers were instrumental in efforts to tighten the Building Regulations to tackle indoor air quality, insulate more homes and improve living conditions.

Ian Church, Buttle’s Managing Director said:

“We were delighted to welcome Daisy Cooper and show her how Buttle’s has evolved over the one hundred and five years since we began in 1919. It is great to have our MP take an interest in local firms like ours and offering her insight and support to help businesses to succeed”.

“Merchants ought to be aware that a shift is underway with a sharper focus on the environmental consequences of business, and the way we use resources in our supply chain in a more efficient manner, knowing that stricter targets and stronger regulation are likely in future”.

The visit was another arranged by the BMF as part of its industry and parliament programme. The aim is to show MPs the role, value and importance of merchants in delivering for their communities.

 

Ian Church (Buttle’s MD), Shelby Williams (Branch Manager) and Daisy Cooper MP discuss the state of the market and the international trade in panel products.

Ian Church (Buttle’s MD) explains the C16 and C24 grades of softwood, and the different uses they have, based on their strength and quality.

Shelby Williams (Branch Manager) shows Daisy Cooper MP how to use the compactor & baler machine in which Buttle’s recycles its plastic waste (esp. bulk bags) and cardboard.

Chairman Peter Buttle (left), Managing Director Ian Church (centre) and Daisy Cooper MP (right) meet Branch Manager Shelby Williams and two of her team.


 

BMF member Buttle's recently welcomed Daisy Cooper, the Lib Dem Deputy Leader and Health Spokesperson, when she visited their St Alban's base.

Ian Stokes Joins BMF Board

Ian Stokes, Managing Director of Knauf UK and Ireland, has been elected to the Board of the Builders Merchants Federation to serve as the Elected Director-Suppliers with effect from 1 April 2024.  Ian replaces Mike Ward of Wavin, who stepped down earlier this year.

Ian, who has been MD at Knauf since 2010, has over 20 years in the building materials sector and is ideally placed to represent supplier member interests on the BMF Board.

BMF Chairman, Richard Hill said: “I am delighted to welcome Ian to the Board.  His background and experience makes him a perfect replacement for Mike who made an excellent contribution during his time on the Board. The range of experience Ian brings will be extremely valuable as we look to develop the skills of those employed in the sector and build greater public awareness of our industry, and its attractiveness for talented career starters and career switchers.”

BMF CEO, John Newcomb said: “I am very much looking forward to working with Ian, whose experience and passion for our industry aligns with the values of the BMF Board.  I would also like to add my personal thanks to Mike whose advice and support I have greatly valued.”

 

Ian Stokes, MD of Knauf UK & Ireland has been elected to the Board of 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.
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