Welcome to the BMF 

The BMF is the 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.

For those people who are looking to make a career or to find a job in the building materials sector that the BMF represents we have created

a new website www.bmcareers.com which will tell you all about the many opportunities and how you access them.

 

Membership

 
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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), P & H Voice, Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI), Forecast Report, 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

Polypipe marks Data Yard’s supplier century

Polypipe Building Products has become the 100th supplier to join Data Yard, marking another key milestone for the industry-owned data pool established by BMF and NMBS to streamline the sharing of product information between suppliers and merchants.


Designed for use across the building materials supply chain, Data Yard provides a centralised, secure platform with protocols to safeguard the quality, consistency, and depth of product data, ensuring it aligns with market needs and increasingly stringent government requirements.


For Polypipe, the UK’s leading manufacturer of plastic piping systems and low-carbon heating solutions for the residential market, with over 4,000 product lines, Data Yard offers far more than a straightforward data management solution.


Amy Smith, Sales Director at Polypipe, explained:


“Managing data for over 4,000 product lines requires a platform built for the future of construction. By partnering with Data Yard, we are reinforcing our commitment to absolute transparency.


“As legislation such as the Building Safety Act demands a rigorous, immutable ‘Golden Thread’ of information, Data Yard gives our business a single source of truth. Furthermore, as signatories of CCPI, Data Yard will enable us to achieve the gold standard of data integrity and guarantees that our merchants, developers, specifiers and installers have instant access to accurate, up-to-date product data, specifications and certification.


“Data Yard isn't just about managing data; it's about building trust, ensuring safety, and simplifying our supply chain from our Doncaster manufacturing sites to our end-user customers.”


Gareth Thomas, Managing Director of Data Yard, said:


“We are delighted that our 100th confirmed supplier sits within the Plumbing & Heating category. Polypipe’s commitment to Data Yard underlines the platform’s potential across the building materials industry, benefiting all product categories, from heavyside to lightside.”


Data Yard delivers a range of benefits, including:

· Centralised product data management for improved accuracy, consistency and accessibility

· Enhanced supply chain efficiency through seamless data exchange

· Increased regulatory compliance and transparency


Suppliers and Merchants who would like to join Data Yard and streamline the sharing of product information should email [email protected]

Polypipe marks Data Yard’s supplier century
Polypipe Building Products has become the 100th supplier to join Data Yard, marking another key milestone for the industry-owned data pool established by BMF and NMBS to streamline the sharing of product information between suppliers and merchants.
Learn More

 

BMF names record-breaking rugby star as Keynote Speaker

 

Maggie Alphonsi MBE, one of the best-known names in women’s rugby, who helped England win a record-breaking seven consecutive Six Nations crowns and the 2014 World Cup, has been announced as the Keynote Speaker at the BMF Annual Members Conference and Awards in September.


During her England rugby career, Maggie became the face of international women’s rugby, representing her country seventy-four times and scoring twenty-eight tries. Maggie was named the Sunday Times Sports Woman of the Year, won the title of Six Nations Grand Slam Winner six times, and was the first woman to win the Rugby Union Writers Club Player of the Year.


Since retiring, she has commentated on live rugby matches for ITV, BBC and Sky and featured in a wide array of media outlets. She is also one of just six female members of the Rugby Football Union’s 56-strong Council.


Maggie will share her experience as an athlete and team member, performing under pressure, overcoming adversity and working in a male-dominated environment.


John Newcomb, CEO of BMF, commented: "Maggie’s remarkable achievements, both as a rugby player and beyond, provide valuable lessons in developing resilience, encouraging collaboration, and nurturing a winning attitude.”


Maggie’s presentation is sponsored by Pimberly.


The BMF Annual Members Conference and Awards will be held at the Belfry Hotel and Resort in Sutton Coldfield on 16 and 17 September.


Registrations are now open. Members can find more information and reserve their place at https://tinyurl.com/yvtmvpmc

BMF names record-breaking rugby star as Keynote Speaker
Maggie Alphonsi MBE, one of the best-known names in women’s rugby, who helped England win a record-breaking seven consecutive Six Nations crowns and the 2014 World Cup, has been announced as the Keynote Speaker at the BMF Annual Members Conference.
Learn More

P&H Merchants Q1 like-for-like sales values down -0.1%, but sales volumes fall -4.3% year-on-year

The latest Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) report, published in May, shows like-for-like Q1 2026 value sales, adjusted to remove the impact of trading days, were -0.1% lower than the same period in 2025. Like-for-like volume sales decreased by -4.3%.


With no difference in trading days, unadjusted total value sales were also down -0.1%. Unadjusted volume sales were -4.3% lower but prices were +4.4% up.


Quarter-on-quarter, like-for-like value sales for Q1 were down -0.5% compared to Q4 2025. Like-for-like volume sales decreased -1.2%. With two extra trading days in the most recent quarter, unadjusted total value sales were +2.7% up, with volumes up +2.0% and prices edging up +0.7%.


March’s like-for-like value sales were down -2.8% compared to the same month the previous year. Like-for-like volume sales fell -5.8% while prices went up +3.2%. With one extra trading day in March 2026 compared to March 2025, unadjusted value sales were up +1.8%, with volumes decreasing -1.3% and prices increasing +3.2%.


Month-on-month, March like-for-like value sales were -0.6% lower than February, with volume sales down -1.8%. With two additional trading days in March, unadjusted value sales increased +9.3%. Unadjusted volumes increased +8.0% and prices also went up +1.2%.


Like-for-like value sales for the 12-month period April 2025 to March 2026 were up +1.7%, compared to the same period a year before (April 2024 to March 2025). Like-for-like volume sales were down -2.7% while prices were +4.5% up. With one less trading day in the most recent period, unadjusted total value sales were up +1.3%, with unadjusted volume sales down -3.1% and prices rising +4.5%.


The like-for-like PHMI Index for March 2026 was 138.1. With one extra trading day compared to the Index base period, the unadjusted value Index was 147.0.


Mike Rigby, MD of MRA Research who produce this report, says: “Every year of the 2020s seems to come with seriously unwelcome surprises, and 2026 is no exception. The Iran war has massively impacted business and consumer confidence and the Q1 merchant sales figures reflect that.


“Research by PwC revealed that 90% of consumers were worried about the cost of living, and almost 80% planned to cut back on spending over the next quarter. Barclays too, found customers trimming out non-essential spending over the first three months of the year. These findings are confirmed in the authoritative April GfK Consumer Confidence Index, which shows a sharp fall in the overall index, down -4 points to -25; the lowest level since February 2023. Consumer expectations for the General Economic Situation over the next 12 months’ fell -6 to -43, six points worse than last year. Their expectations for Personal Financial Situation over the next 12 months dropped -5 points, at -4 it’s one point lower than this time last year. Consumers are saving more (+5 over last month, and two points higher than this time last year), but there was no change to the Major Purchase Index, suggesting no worsening in larger home improvement project spending.


“Cost of fuel and food increases are concerning many people, but there are still pockets of optimism. The Bank of England reported a slight increase in mortgage approvals to 63,500 in Q1 2026, which will be music to developers’ ears. But any significant recovery will be limited by higher mortgage costs, lower affordability and heightened uncertainty fuelled by geopolitical volatility and a lack of direction in Government.


“With the job of Prime Minister in play, and a regional and local government shakeup following the May elections, businesses and consumers are in for a few wait-and-see months. We’re almost halfway through the year but we’re a long way from knowing how 2026 will pan out for Merchants. There are too many balls in the air to tell!”


The Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) is the first to analyse point of sales data collated from specialist plumbing & heating merchants with combined annual sales of £3bn, to chart their performance month-to-month.


Based on data from NIQ GfK’s Plumbing & Heating Merchant Panel, which represents over 70% of the market by value, the report provides reliable data and a platform and voice for the industry, as well as for leading plumbing & heating brands. It is produced by MRA Research for the Builders Merchants Federation. There is no overlap or double counting between PHMI and the Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) sales data.


To download the latest report, or learn more about becoming an Expert, speaking on behalf of your market, visit www.phmi.co.uk

P&H Merchants Q1 like-for-like sales values down -0.1, but sales volumes fall -4.3 year-on-year
The latest Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) report, published in May, shows like-for-like Q1 2026 value sales, adjusted to remove the impact of trading days, were -0.1% lower than the same period in 2025.
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BMF: Get Britain Building and give young people a route to work

The Chief Executive of the BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) has welcomed the Milburn Young People and Work report, which, he says, recognises that the cost of doing business is among key factors that are closing the door to opportunity for young people.

John Newcomb, BMF CEO, said the report reflected the experience of member businesses across the building materials supply chain and reiterated calls for Government to stimulate the housebuilding market and get Britain building.

In a bid to support recruitment into the sector, last year the BMF launched Building Materials Careers – a cross-industry online hub with careers information, apprenticeship support and job vacancies from multiple employers all in one place.

However, the increasing cost of doing business in the UK has affected the number of jobs currently available in the manufacturing and distribution of building materials, more than 75 per cent of which are made in Britain.

BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “For the past 12 months we have been calling on the Government to get Britain building again and create stimulus for the housebuilding market in support of its manifesto pledge to build 1.5 million homes.

“The Milburn report points to a need for wider systemic change to support the creation of opportunities for young people and this is echoed by our members who tell us the cost of doing business is making it increasingly difficult for them to take on new staff.

“At the same time, the Home Builders Federation is reporting that regulatory costs and taxes have added £76,000 to the cost of building each new home, squeezing

profit margins to the point of unviability and preventing new developments coming forward.

“Getting Britain building will stimulate a key market within the UK economy, generate jobs, improve skills, create homes and give the younger generation a chance to map out a meaningful career in our industry.”

The BMF represents 1,020 members with combined sales of £52 billion pounds and employing almost 209,000 staff.

Rachel Challinor is National Account Manager at Brett Landscaping and Building Products and entered the building materials sector five years ago.

She said: “You can do any job in this sector; people aren’t pigeon-holed and hybrid roles are common.

“My job is varied and challenging. No two days are alike. It’s not just bricks and mortar - there’s loads more to it and women are increasingly discovering that.

“I would encourage anyone, especially women, to visit the Building Materials Careers website. We need more people and we need more women.

“This wasn’t necessarily an industry I’d considered as a career, but I love it.”

Building Materials Careers followed a previous recruitment drive launched in 2023, which saw BMF member businesses commit to providing 15,000 apprenticeships by 2030.

Ja’ul Alam, a former semi-professional footballer from Milton Keynes, was named BMF Apprentice of the Year 2025 after switching careers and taking on an apprenticeship with the Independent Buying Consortium.

Ja’ul said: “I’d spent my whole life playing football, but I realised I needed to build a secure career, and the career opportunities in building materials appealed to me.

“It’s a much bigger industry than people realise, with so many different roles, and chances to grow if you’re willing to learn.

“Every week brings something new, whether it's analysing data, managing supplier relationships, negotiating deals, or understanding how the market works.

“Leading projects and taking on real responsibility has been my biggest achievement so far. It’s rewarding to see how my work directly contributes to the business.”

Within the last 12 months alone, the BMF, which is the fourth largest trade association in the construction sector, has seen 24 members, with a turnover of £242 million and employing 1,059 staff, go into insolvency.

A further five members, with a total turnover of more than £60 million and 129 employees, have entered into administration.

BMF: Get Britain Building and give young people a route to work
The Chief Executive of the BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) has welcomed the Milburn Young People and Work report, which, he says, recognises that the cost of doing business is impacting opportunities available to young people.
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